US20140008091A1

US20140008091A1 - Rotary tool

Info

Publication number: US20140008091A1
Application number: US13/695,954
Authority: US
Inventors: Katsuyoshi Kouguchi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-24
Filing date: 2012-02-13
Publication date: 2014-01-09
Also published as: CN102905605A; JP4920791B1; TW201306784A; JP2012200322A; WO2012127933A1

Abstract

A rotary tool includes a first longitudinal member, a second longitudinal member disposed across a region of a rod-shaped brush, a first elastic between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and for causing the rod-shaped brush to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member, and a turn of the second longitudinal member, and a second elastic between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and attached to the first and second longitudinal members. The first elastic is located on one side and the second elastic is located on the other side, regarding a boundary of a first axis or a second axis.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotary tool. More particularly, it relates to a rotary tool capable of cleaning the inside of a bottle by rotating, for example, a rod-shaped brush.
For example, cleaning the inside of a bottle, rotating a brush or the like to scrub away stains adhered to the inner wall of the bottle has been performed.
For example, Japanese Utility Model
Registration No. 3023663 describes a cleaning brush as shown in FIG. 8. That is, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3023663 describes to the effect that, by inserting a main brush 110 and a sub-brush 116 into a feeding bottle 150, rotating a handle 114 as a main driving shaft, and as a result of the rotation being transmitted to a connecting member 113 serving as a driven shaft, the main brush 110 and the sub-brush 116 rotate with the rotation of the handle 114 to be able to clean the inside of the feeding bottle 150.
However, the cleaning brush described in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3023663 is rotated with the handle gripped, and there has been a demand for a tool that allows rotating a brush or the like more simply, by only fingertips.
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a rotary tool capable of easily causing a to-be-rotated body to rotate by only the fingertips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object described above, a rotary tool of the present invention is a rotary tool including a first longitudinal member that is turnable in forward and reverse directions about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a plane on which a to-be-rotated body is disposed, a second longitudinal member that is turnable in forward and reverse directions about a second axis that is substantially parallel to or substantially the same as the first axis of turning of the first longitudinal member, and opposed to the first longitudinal member across a region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed, a rotating means disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and for causing a to-be-rotated body to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member and a turn of the second longitudinal member, and an elastic member disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, in which the rotating means is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in a region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, the elastic member is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in a region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member turn so that the distance between each other's end portions present at the same side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis varies.
Here, the first axis of turning of the first longitudinal member and the second axis of turning of the second longitudinal member are substantially parallel to or substantially the same as each other, the second longitudinal member is opposed to the first longitudinal member across a region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed, and by the rotating means that is disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and causes the to-be-rotated body to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member and a turn of the second longitudinal member, the to-be-rotated body can be caused to rotate by only grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member.
Moreover, the rotary tool of the present invention can be one including a rod-shaped to-be-rotated body to be caused to rotate by the rotating means, and having a plurality of projection portions at at least one end.
Moreover, the rotary tool of the present invention can be one in which the rotating means is a first elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and wound around the to-be-rotated body, and the elastic member is a second elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and wound around the to-be-rotated body.
In this case, when the distance between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member is reduced by grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis, at the side where the second elastic serving as an elastic member is attached, the distance between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis, at the side where the first elastic serving as a rotating means is attached increases, and the first elastic wound around the rod-shaped to-be-rotated body is accordingly pulled to cause the to-be-rotated body to rotate.
Due to the rotation of the to-be-rotated body, the second elastic wound around the rod-shaped to-be-rotated body further winds around the to-be-rotated body, and a biasing force is further applied to the second elastic. Then, when the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member at the side where the second elastic is attached is reduced, the second elastic tries to restore due to the biasing force, and the second elastic wound around the to-be-rotated body causes the to-be-rotated body to rotate.
Moreover, the rotary tool of the present invention can be one in which the rotating means is a first elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and wound around the to-be-rotated body, the elastic member is a second elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and attached to the to-be-rotated body to be windable therearound, the first longitudinal member at a side where the second elastic is attached with respect to a boundary of the first axis is provided with a first finger hole to pass through fingers or a thumb, and the second longitudinal member at a side where the second elastic is attached with respect to a boundary of the second axis is provided with a second finger hole to pass through fingers or a thumb.
In this case, because fingers and a thumb can be inserted into the first finger hole and the second finger hole, a force can be applied, by extending the fingers and thumb, also in a direction to separate the end portion of the first longitudinal member and the end portion of the second longitudinal member from each other.
Moreover, the rotary tool of the present invention can be one including a turning support to which the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member are turnably attached and in which a through-hole is provided, in which the to-be-rotated body is inserted through the through-hole.
The rotary tool according to the present invention is capable of easily causing the to-be-rotated body to rotate by only the fingertips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 1 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a forward direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 1 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a reverse direction.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 4 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a forward direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a third embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a third embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a conventional cleaning brush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and provided for understanding of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a first longitudinal member 2 and a second longitudinal member 3 opposed to the first longitudinal member 2 across a region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed.
Moreover, both end portions of each of the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 are curved toward the side opposite to the region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed. As a result, a substantially central portion of each of the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 is a curved portion.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a turning support 11 to which the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 are turnably attached and in which a through-hole is provided.
Here, the first longitudinal member 2 is, in its curved substantially central portion, attached to the turning support 11 so as to be turnable in forward and reverse directions about a first axis 9 that is substantially perpendicular to a plane on which a to-be-rotated body is disposed.
Moreover, the second longitudinal member 3 is, in its curved substantially central portion, attached to the turning support 11 so as to be turnable in forward and reverse directions about a second axis 10 that is substantially parallel to the first axis 9 of turning of the first longitudinal member 2.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a rod-shaped brush 6 serving as a to-be-rotated body in the region sandwiched with the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3. Moreover, the rod-shaped brush 6 has a plurality of brush bristles (which is an example of a projection portion) 7 at its one end.
Moreover, the rod-shaped brush 6 is inserted through the through-hole of the turning support 11.
Moreover, at an outer peripheral surface of a rod-shaped portion of the rod-shaped brush 6 that is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 or the second axis 10 in the region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3, a first hook portion 6A and a second hook portion 6B are attached.
Here, each of the first hook portion 6A and the second hook portion 6B has a structure in which two end portions located in directions different by 180° from each other are curved toward the turning support 11.
Moreover, the end portions of the first hook portion 6A and the end portions of the second hook portion 6B are located in directions different by 90° from each other (i.e. located within two orthogonal planes).
Moreover, also at an outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion of the rod-shaped brush 6 that is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 or the second axis 10 in the region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3, a third hook portion 6C and a fourth hook portion 6D are attached.
Here, each of the third hook portion 6C and the fourth hook portion 6D has a structure in which two end portions located in directions different by 180° from each other are curved toward the turning support 11.
Moreover, the end portions of the third hook portion 6C and the end portions of the fourth hook portion 6D are located in directions different by 90° from each other.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a first elastic (which is an example of a rotating means) 4 that is disposed between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3, and causes the rod-shaped brush 6 to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member 2 and a turn of the second longitudinal member 3.
Moreover, the first elastic 4 is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 or the second axis 10 in the region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Here, the first elastic 4 consists of a first elastic band 4A that is attached to one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 and caught on the first hook portion 6A to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6, a second elastic band 4B that is attached to one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and caught on the second hook portion 6B to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6, and a third elastic band 4C that is attached to one end of the second longitudinal member 3 and caught on the second hook portion 6B to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a second elastic (which is an example of an elastic member) 5 that is disposed between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3, and attached to the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Moreover, the second elastic 5 is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 or the second axis 10 in the region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Here, the second elastic 5 consists of a fourth elastic band 5A that is attached to the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 and caught on the fourth hook portion 6D to be wound around an end portion of the rod-shaped brush 6, a fifth elastic band 5B that is attached to the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and caught on the third hook portion 6C to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6, and a sixth elastic band 5C that is attached to the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 and caught on the third hook portion 6C to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6.
Moreover, in FIG. 1, the first elastic 4 and the second elastic 5 are different from each other in winding direction, but are the same in the number of windings.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 1 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a forward direction.
Moreover, FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 1 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a reverse direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, when near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 are grasped by fingers and a thumb, the first longitudinal member 2 turns about the first axis 9 and the second longitudinal member 3 turns about the second axis 10, so that the distance between the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 decreases.
Simultaneously therewith, the distance between one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 increases, and the first elastic 4 (the first elastic band 4A, the second elastic band 4B, and the third elastic band 4C) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 is accordingly pulled to cause the rod-shaped brush 6 to rotate in a forward direction 12.
At this time, due to the rotation of the rod-shaped brush 6 in the forward direction 12, the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A, the fifth elastic band 5B, and the sixth elastic band 5C) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 further winds around the rod-shaped brush 6, and a biasing force is further applied to the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A, the fifth elastic band 5B, and the sixth elastic band 5C).
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 is reduced, the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A, the fifth elastic band 5B, and the sixth elastic band 5C) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 tries to restore due to the biasing force, and the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A, the fifth elastic band 5B, and the sixth elastic band 5C) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 causes the rod-shaped brush 6 to rotate in a reverse direction 13.
At this time, due to the rotation of the rod-shaped brush 6 in the reverse direction 13, the first elastic 4 (the first elastic band 4A, the second elastic band 4B, and the third elastic band 4C) again winds around the rod-shaped brush 6 to return to the state as shown in FIG. 1.
Thereafter, by again grasping by fingers and a thumb near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 as shown in FIG. 2 and reducing the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 as shown in FIG. 3 in the same way, the rod-shaped brush 6 can be repeatedly rotated in the forward and reverse directions.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.
Moreover. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state where the rotary tool shown in FIG. 4 rotates a rod-shaped brush in a forward direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the rotary tool 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention, a first longitudinal member 2 at a side where a second elastic 5 is attached with respect to a boundary of a first axis 9 is provided with a first finger hole 2B to pass through fingers or a thumb, and a longitudinal member 3 at a side where a second elastic 5 is attached with respect to a boundary of a second axis 10 is provided with a second finger hole 3B to pass through fingers or a thumb.
Moreover, near the first finger hole 2B of the first longitudinal member 2, a first projection portion 2C projecting toward the second longitudinal member 3 is provided.
Moreover, near the second finger hole 3B of the second longitudinal member 3, a second projection portion 3C projecting toward the first longitudinal member 2 is provided.
Moreover, similar to the first embodiment, at an outer peripheral surface of a rod-shaped portion of the rod-shaped brush 6, a first hook portion 6A, a second hook portion 6B, a third hook portion 6C, and the fourth hook portion GD are attached, however, in the second embodiment, end portions of these hooks are all located in the same direction (within the same plane).
Moreover, the first elastic 4 consists of a first elastic band 4A and a second elastic band 4B.
The first elastic band 4A is attached to one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3, and caught on the first hook portion 6A to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6.
The second elastic band 4B is attached to a substantially midpoint between one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the first axis 9 and a substantially midpoint between one end of the second longitudinal member 3 and the second axis 10, and caught on the second hook portion 6B to be wound around the rod-shaped brush 6.
Moreover, the second elastic 5 consists of a fourth elastic band 5A and a fifth elastic band 5B.
Here, the fourth elastic band 5A is attached to a seventh hook portion 6C attached to the inside of the first longitudinal member 2, that is, a side closer to the rod-shaped brush 6 and an eighth hook portion 6H attached to the inside of the second longitudinal member 3, that is, a side closer to the rod-shaped brush 6, and caught on the fourth hook portion 6D to be attached to the rod-shaped brush 6 so as to be windable therearound.
Moreover, the fifth elastic band 5B is attached to a fifth hook portion 6E attached to the inside of the first longitudinal member 2 and a sixth hook portion 6F attached to the inside of the second longitudinal member 3, and caught on the third hook portion 6C to be attached to the rod-shaped brush 6 so as to be windable therearound.
The other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, when fingers and a thumb are passed through the first finger hole 2B and the second finger hole 3B and the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 at the side where the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) is attached are moved so as to become close to each other, the first longitudinal member 2 turns about the first axis 9, and the second longitudinal member 3 turns about the second axis 10, so that the distance between the other end (the side where the second elastic 5 is attached) of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end (the side where the second elastic 5 is attached) of the second longitudinal member 3 decreases.
Moreover, because there is provided a first projection portion 2C and a second projection portion 3C, a certain distance is maintained between the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 even when the distance therebetween is minimized.
Simultaneously therewith, the distance between one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 increases, and the first elastic 4 (the first elastic band 4A and the second elastic band 4B) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 is accordingly pulled to cause the rod-shaped brush 6 to rotate in a forward direction 12.
At this time, due to the rotation of the rod-shaped brush 6 in the forward direction 12, the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) attached to the rod-shaped brush 6 so as to be windable therearound winds around the rod-shaped brush 6, and a biasing force is applied to the second elastic 5.
That is, the second elastic 5 is wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 in a winding direction different from the first elastic 4.
Then, when a force is applied to the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 by extending the fingers and thumb passed through the first finger hole 2B and the second finger hole 3B simultaneously with reducing the force of the fingers and thumb to bring the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 at the side where the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) is attached close to each other, the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 tries to restore due to the biasing force and the force in a direction to extend the fingers and thumb, and the second elastic 5 (the fourth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) wound around the rod-shaped brush 6 causes the rod-shaped brush 6 to rotate in a reverse direction.
Then, due to the rotation of the rod-shaped brush 6 in the reverse direction, the first elastic 4 (the first elastic band 4A and the second elastic band 4B) again winds around the rod-shaped brush 6 to return to the state as shown in FIG. 4.
At this time, the distance between the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 increases. Moreover, because fingers and a thumb pass through the first finger hole 2B and the second finger hole 3B, a force to keep apart from each other the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 at the side where the second elastic 5 (the fifth elastic band 5A and the fifth elastic band 5B) is attached can also be applied by extending the fingers and thumb.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a third embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.
Moreover, FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a third embodiment of a rotary tool of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a first longitudinal member 2 and a second longitudinal member 3 opposed to the first longitudinal member 2 across a region in which a rod-shaped brush 6 serving as a to-be-rotated body is disposed.
Moreover, the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 cross each other three-dimensionally, and are turnably connected at this intersection point by a cross-connecting portion 14.
Further, the intersection point corresponds to a first axis 9 of the first longitudinal member 2, and also corresponds to a second axis 10 of the second longitudinal member 3.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 are opposed to each other, and have tabular fan shapes.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes an outer frame 19 disposed so as to surround one end of the first longitudinal member 2 having a fan shape and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 having a fan shape.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a gear wheel (which is an example of a rotating means) 16 disposed between the fan-shaped one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the fan-shaped one end of the second longitudinal member 3, and as apparent also from FIG. 6, the gear wheel 16 is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 (or the second axis 10) in a region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Moreover, at a substantially center portion of the gear wheel 16, a through-hole 16A through which the rod-shaped brush 6 is inserted is provided. Moreover, because the inner diameter of the through-hole 16A is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the rod-shaped brush 6, the rod-shaped brush 6 rotates with a rotation of the gear wheel 16.
Moreover, in the third embodiment, at an outer peripheral surface of a rod-shaped portion of the rod-shaped brush 6, no such hook portions as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment are provided.
Also, in FIG. 7, illustration of a rod-shaped brush is omitted.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the fan-shaped one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the fan-shaped one end of the second longitudinal member 3 are located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 (or the second axis 10) of the cross-connecting portion 14, and the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 are located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 (or the second axis 10) of the cross-connecting portion 14.
Moreover, a lateral support bar 20 that penetrates through a space surrounded by the outer frame 19 in the lateral direction (width direction) and a longitudinal support bar 21 that penetrates through the space surrounded by the outer frame 19 in the longitudinal direction (height direction) are respectively, at their both ends, fixedly secured to the outer frame 19.
Also, in FIG. 6, illustration of an outer frame with the end portions of the longitudinal support bar 21 fixedly secured is omitted.
Moreover, at an intersection point between the lateral support bar 20 and the longitudinal support bar 21, a through-hole (which is not shown) through which the rod-shaped brush 6 is inserted is provided, and the through-hole is located on substantially the same axis as that of the through-hole 16A of the gear wheel 16, and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the through-hole 16A.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, in the fan-shaped one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the fan-shaped one end of the second longitudinal member 3, a first through-hole 2A and a second through-hole 3A through which the longitudinal support bar 21 is passed are provided, respectively.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, at a surface of the fan-shaped one end of the first longitudinal member 2 that makes contact with the gear wheel 16, a first uneven portion 17 that meshes with the teeth of the gear wheel 16 is provided, and at a surface of the fan-shaped one end of the second longitudinal member 3 that makes contact with the gear wheel 16, a second uneven portion 18 that meshes with the teeth of the gear wheel 16 is provided.
Moreover, the rotary tool 1 of the present invention includes a leaf spring (which is an example of an elastic member) 15 that is disposed between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3, and attached to the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Moreover, the leaf spring 15 is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis 9 or the second axis 10 in the region between the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3.
Then, when near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 are grasped by fingers and a thumb, the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 turn about the first axis 9 (or the second axis 10) of the cross-connecting portion 14, and the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 move in a first moving direction 22A of the other end, so that the distance between the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 decreases.
At this time, the leaf spring 15 is compressed, and a restoring force (biasing force) is applied to the leaf spring 15.
Simultaneously therewith, one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 move in a first moving direction 22 of one end.
Then, the teeth of the gear wheel 16 and the first uneven portion 17 provided at one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the second uneven portion 18 provided at one end of the second longitudinal member 3 mesh with each other, and the gear wheel 16 rotates in a first rotating direction 24 to rotate the rod-shaped brush 6 in the same first rotating direction 24.
On the other hand, when the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 is reduced, due to the biasing force of the leaf spring 15 that has been compressed, the first longitudinal member 2 and the second longitudinal member 3 turn about the first axis 9 (or the second axis 10) of the cross-connecting portion 14, and the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 move in a second moving direction 23A of the other end, so that the distance between the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 increases.
Simultaneously therewith, one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and one end of the second longitudinal member 3 move in a second moving direction 23 of one end.
Then, the teeth of the gear wheel 16 and the first uneven portion 17 provided at one end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the second uneven portion 18 provided at one end of the second longitudinal member 3 mesh with each other, and the gear wheel 16 rotates in a second rotating direction (direction opposite to the first rotating direction) 25 to rotate the rod-shaped brush 6 in the same second rotating direction 25.
Thereafter, in the same way, by grasping by fingers and a thumb near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3 and reducing the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped near the other end of the first longitudinal member 2 and the other end of the second longitudinal member 3, the rod-shaped brush 6 can be rotated in the first rotating direction and second rotating direction.
In the above examples, a description has been given of a rod-shaped brush raised as an example of a to-be-rotated body, but the to-be-rotated body is not necessarily a rod-shaped brush, and for example, a simple helicopter-like bamboo toy (Taketonbo) may be used as the to-be-rotated body, and the rotary tool of the present invention can also be used as a toy.
As in the above, according to the rotary tool of the present invention, the first axis of turning of the first longitudinal member and the second axis of turning of the second longitudinal member are substantially parallel to or substantially the same as each other, the second longitudinal member is opposed to the first longitudinal member across a region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed, and by the rotating means (such as a gear wheel or a first elastic) that is disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and causes the to-be-rotated body (such as a rod-shaped brush) to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member and a turn of the second longitudinal member, the to-be-rotated body can be caused to rotate by only grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member.
Therefore, the rotary tool of the present invention is capable of easily causing the to-be-rotated body to rotate by only the fingertips.
Moreover, the first elastic serving as a rotating means is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in the region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and the second elastic serving as an elastic member is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in the region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and thus, when the distance between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member is reduced by grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis, at the side where the second elastic is attached, the distance between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis, at the side where the first elastic is attached increases, and the first elastic wound around the rod-shaped brush is accordingly pulled to cause the rod-shaped brush to rotate.
Due to the rotation of the rod-shaped brush, the second elastic wound around the rod-shaped brush further winds around the rod-shaped brush, and a biasing force is further applied to the second elastic. Then, when the grasping force of the fingers and thumb that have grasped the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member at the side where the second elastic is attached is reduced, the second elastic tries to restore due to the biasing force, and the second elastic wound around the rod-shaped brush causes the rod-shaped brush to rotate.
Thereafter, by only repeatedly grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member at the side where the second elastic is attached and reducing the grasping force, the rod-shaped brush can be continuously rotated.
Moreover, because the rotary tool of the second embodiment of the present invention provided with a first finger hole and a second finger hole allows inserting fingers and a thumb into the first finger hole and the second finger hole, a force can be further applied, by extending the fingers and thumb, also in a direction to separate the end portion of the first longitudinal member and the end portion of the second longitudinal member from each other.
Moreover, similarly in the rotary tool of the third embodiment of the present invention including a gear wheel and a leaf spring, by only grasping by fingers and a thumb the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member at the side where the leaf spring is attached and reducing the grasping force, the gear wheel is rotated in the first rotating direction and the second rotating direction so that the rod-shaped brush can be continuously rotated.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

- 1 Rotary tool
- 2 First longitudinal member
- 2A First through-hole
- 2B First finger hole
- 2C First projection portion
- 3 Second longitudinal member
- 3A Second through-hole
- 3B Second finger hole
- 3C Second projection portion
- 4 First elastic
- 4A First elastic band
- 4B Second elastic band
- 4C Third elastic band
- 5 Second elastic
- 5A Fourth elastic band
- 5B Fifth elastic band
- 5C Sixth elastic band
- 6 Rod-shaped brush
- 6A First hook portion
- 6B Second hook portion
- 6C Third hook portion
- 6D Fourth hook portion
- 6E Fifth hook portion
- 6F Sixth hook portion
- 6G Seventh hook portion
- 6H Eighth hook portion
- 7 Brush bristles
- 9 First axis
- 10 Second axis
- 11 Turning support
- 12 Forward direction
- 13 Reverse direction
- 14 Cross-connecting portion
- 15 Leaf spring
- 16 Gear wheel
- 16A Through-hole
- 17 First uneven portion
- 18 Second uneven portion
- 19 Outer frame
- 20 Lateral support bar
- 21 Longitudinal support bar
- 22 First moving direction of one end
- 22A First moving direction of the other end
- 23 Second moving direction of one end
- 23A Second moving direction of the other end
- 24 First rotating direction
- 25 Second rotating direction

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary tool comprising:

a first longitudinal member that is turnable in forward and reverse directions about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a plane on which a to-be-rotated body is disposed;

a second longitudinal member that is turnable in forward and reverse directions about a second axis that is substantially parallel to or substantially the same as the first axis of turning of the first longitudinal member, and opposed to the first longitudinal member across a region in which a to-be-rotated body is disposed;

rotating means disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and for causing a to-be-rotated body to rotate with a turn of the first longitudinal member and a turn of the second longitudinal member;

an elastic member disposed between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member; and

a rod-shaped to-be-rotated body to be caused to rotate by the rotating means, and having a plurality of projection portions at at least one end, wherein

the rotating means is located on one side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in a region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member,

the elastic member is located on the other side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis in a region between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member,

the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member turn so that the distance between each other's end portions present at the same side with respect to a boundary of the first axis or the second axis varies,

the rotating means is a first elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and wound around the to-be-rotated body,

the elastic member is a second elastic that is attached to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, and attached to the to-be-rotated body to be windable therearound,

a first longitudinal member at a side where a second elastic is attached with respect to a boundary of the first axis is provided with a first finger hole to pass through fingers or a thumb, and

a second longitudinal member at a side where a second elastic is attached with respect to a boundary of the second axis is provided with a second finger hole to pass through fingers or a thumb.

2. The rotary tool according to claim 1, comprising a turning support to which the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member are turnably attached and in which a through-hole is provided, wherein

the to-be-rotated body is inserted through the through-hole.