US20150320286A1

US20150320286A1 - Apparatus for cleaning tile grout

Info

Publication number: US20150320286A1
Application number: US14/607,059
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon Clarence Tronson, SR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-19
Filing date: 2015-01-27
Publication date: 2015-11-12

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning tile grout includes a housing, a motor disposed within the interior of the housing, a power source connected to the motor, and a cylindrical brush rotatably mounted to the motor and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a portion of the outer surface of the brush being configured to contact the tile grout. A user maneuvers the apparatus to orient the rotating cylindrical brush on top of the grout, thereby cleaning the tile grout.

Description

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein related generally to apparatuses and systems for cleaning tile grout.
The grout between floor tiles is difficult to dean one it gets dirty. Currently, individuals have to clean the tile grout by manually scrubbing the grout with a brush. This is a burden and requires significant effort by the user. In addition, the user is often in an awkward position on his/her hands and knew when scrubbing the grout, which may cause the user to suffer injuries. Current floor cleaning systems comprise rotating brushes that spin horizontally. These brushes are designed to dean large surface areas such as the tiles. However, the brushes are not effective in cleaning narrow and difficult to reach areas such as the group between the tiles.
As such, there is a need in the industry for an apparatus that effectively deans tile grout, which addresses the limitations the prior art discussed above.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for cleaning tile grout is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a motor disposed within the interior of the housing, a power source operably connected to the motor, and a cylindrical brush rotatably mounted to the motor and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a portion of the outer surface of the brush being configured to contact to the tile grout, wherein a user maneuvers the apparatus to orient the rotating cylindrical brush on top of the grout, thereby cleaning the tile grout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 Shows the side view of apparatus.

FIG. 2 Shows front view of the apparatus.

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or nor embodiments of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

In certain embodiments of the invention, the apparatus comprises a housing, a motor disposed within the interior of the housing, a power source operably connected to the motor, and a cylindrical brush rotatably mounted to the motor.
The housing is made from plastic and is sufficiently large to house an electric motor. The electric motor may be of any type and comprises known components in the field. Typically, the motor is powered by 120 Volts of alternating-current. A plug may be affixed to the housing to connect the motor to an electrical outlet. In an alternative embodiment, the electric motor may be powered by batteries stored within the housing.
A metal pole or handle is attached to the hosing to allow a user to easily maneuver the apparatus. The pole may be adjustable to extend or compress to accommodate any desirable position for the user. The pole or housing may have an electrical switch to allow the user to enable or disable the motor. Wheels are affixed to the bottom of the housing via any fastening means known it the field such as screws, bolts, rivets, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a pair of wheels.
The cylindrical brush may be made from any material such as nylon bristles. The cylindrical brush generally has a height that is equivalent to the width of the grout positioned between a set of tiles. However, the brush may have dimensioned height. The cylinder brush is rotatably mounted to the electric motor via a shaft. This allows the cylindrical brush to rotate vertically with respect to the housing and pole.
In operation, the user sprays any types of tile cleaner on the grout to be cleaned. The user depresses the switch on the apparatus which enables the cylindrical brush to rotate vertically. The ser grabs the pole and orients the apparatus such that the rotate brush is positioned on top of and In contact with the grout The rotating motion of the brush enables the easy removal of dirt from the tile grout. The user depresses the switch to disable the electric motor.
It shall be appreciated that the components of the apparatus described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of the apparatus described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any know techniques in the held such as injection mold and machining techniques.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.
In FIG. 1, element is injected molded plastic handle which houses element 2 the squeeze power trigger which turns the A/C motor on and off.
Element 3 is a male 2 prong A/C receptacle from where an extension cord is attached to, this gives the device power from the grid.
Element 4 is an aluminum shaft that connects the handle element 1 to the lower plastic housing element 5
Element 5 is an injection molded housing which houses the A/C electric motor
Element 6 is a plastic guard covering the rotating brush 8/by approx. 180 degrees
Element 7 is the steel shaft from motor to which the nylon brush element 8 is mounted to securely
Element 8 is a 6 inch diameter nylon brush approx. ⅜ inch wide which attached to motor shaft element 7
Element 9 these are two nylon wheels that are attached to the main body element 5 used as a guide and stability
FIG. 2 is the front view of the tile grout cleaning apparatus where in element 10 illustrates the A/C motor inside main body 5/motor is of 110 volt A/C with approx. 4500 rpm
Element 11 is a molded part of main housing element 5 this is where the two nylon wheels are attached too.
Element 12 these are vents from which the motor draws in in fresh air for cooling purposes

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning tile grout, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a motor disposed within the interior of the housing;

a power source operably connected to the motor; and

a cylindrical brush rotatably mounted to the motor and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a portion of the outer surface of die brush being configured to contact the tile grout, wherein a user maneuvers the apparatus to orient the rotating cylindrical brush on top of the grout, thereby cleaning the tile grout.