US20170325655A1

US20170325655A1 - Cobweb Cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20170325655A1
Application number: US15/589,722
Authority: US
Inventors: Khodaram Pollard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-13
Filing date: 2017-05-08
Publication date: 2017-11-16
Also published as: AU2017203129A1

Abstract

A cobweb cleaner comprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongate rod axially extending from an end of the handle, and a motor housed in the handle for axially rotating the rod relative to the handle, whereby in use the rod is rotated axially about its length and is able to be brought into contact with a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers in the cobweb around the rod is disclosed. In an embodiment the rod is flexible along its length so as to be able to curve into crevasses. In an embodiment the handle is telescopically extendible in length. In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of the rod is able to be attached, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning cobwebs.

BACKGROUND

A common household chore is to clean cobwebs formed by spiders. Often the cobwebs are in hard to reach places. A common technique is to use a broom, however this can often leave marks on the surface being cleaned because the broom usually contracts the surface. A better device for cleaning cobwebs is desired.
The present invention seeks to solve this problem.
Any references to documents that are made in this specification are not intended to be an admission that the information contained in those documents form part of the common general knowledge known to a person skilled in the field of the invention, unless explicitly stated as such.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a cobweb cleaner comprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongate rod axially extending from an end of the handle, and a motor housed in the handle for axially rotating the rod relative to the handle, whereby in use the rod is rotated axially about its length and is able to be brought into contact with a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers in the cobweb around the rod.
In an embodiment the rod is flexible along its length so as to be able to curve into crevasses.
In an embodiment the handle is telescopically extendible in length.
In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of the rod is able to be attached, such that the rod is removable from the socket.
In an alternative embodiment the handle comprises a keyed socket connected to the motor and into which a keyed plug of the rod is able to be inserted, such that the rod is removable from the socket.
In an embodiment the keying of the plug and socket is a multi-start thread that extends in a rotational direction so as to tighten the rod onto the connection of the handle when the motor is activated to rotate the rod.
In an embodiment the rod is disposable and replaceable.
In an embodiment the rod is formed of a flexible plastic. In an embodiment the rod is formed of a resilient plastic.
Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cobweb cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cobweb cleaner of FIG. 1, showing internal features of the cleaner in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rod of the cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the rod of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the rod of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cobweb cleaner 10 comprising an elongate handle 12, and a flexible elongate rod 14 axially extending from an end 16 of the handle 12. The handle 12 comprises a body 20 which is able to be gripped by a user. The body 20 comprises a switch 30, preferably an on/off normally open push button switch. Preferably the switch 20 is located inwardly from end 18 of the handle 12 so that it may be conveniently activated by a thumb or forefinger of the user.
The handle 12 is preferably telescopically extendible in length. This is achieved by segments 40 and 42 being able to be longitudinally inserted in the body 20 or extended from the body 20. Segment 40 is narrower than the diameter of the body 20 and segment 42 is narrower than the diameter of segment 40. The segments 40 and 42 are configured to have an interference fit at least when fully extended and preferably when partially extended so that the extent of extension remains as selected by the user
The handle 12 comprises a motor 32, preferably inside segment 42. A housing 34 of the motor 32 is connected to the segment 42 and a rotor portion 36 of the motor 32 is connected to a coupling 44 for connection to the rod 14. The rotor portion 36 is arranged to axially rotate the rod 14 relative to the handle 12 upon electrical power being supplied to the motor 32. The housing 12 also has a power unit 38 electrically connected to the motor 32, via the switch 30, such as with wires, whereby upon activation of the switch 30 the power unit 38 supplies electrical power to the motor 30 thereby causing the rotor portion 36 of the motor 30 to axially rotate. The power unit 38 may be for example a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries which provide the electrical power. Alternatively the power unit 38 may be a power storage unit, such as a NiMH or Lithium Ion, or other type of rechargeable battery, which may be recharged.
Upon actuation, the motor preferably rotates between 60 and 600 rpm, more preferably at about 120 to 240 rpm. Other speeds are possible.
The rod 14 comprises a coupling portion 50 for connection to the coupling 44 of the handle 12 and an elongate portion 52 for gathering cobwebs, by spooling the cobwebs onto the elongate portion 52, as will be described further below.
While the elongate portion 52 may be substantially rigid, it is preferred that it is flexible along its length so as to be able to curve into crevasses. Further it is preferred that the rod is resilient so that it can return to a substantially straight configuration. The elongate portion 52 is preferably formed of flexible relatively soft plastic so that it does not damage a surface should it contact the surface during use. In an embodiment the rod is disposable and replaceable.
In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket 56 at an end of the rod comprising a hole 54 which is able to be attached, such that the rod 14 is removable from the plug.
In an alternative embodiment the handle comprises a keyed socket connected to the motor and into which a keyed plug of the rod is able to be inserted, such that the rod is removable from the socket.
In an embodiment the keying of the plug and socket is a multi-start thread that extends in a rotational direction so as to tighten the rod onto the connection of the handle when the motor is activated to rotate the rod.
In various embodiments the rod is formed of a thermoplastic or other soft plastic or plastic like material (for example polypropylene, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (commonly termed ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane), a rubber or silicon based material, or cellulous based material (for example a paper based material). In one form the rod is biodegradable.
The method of use of the present invention will now be described.
If necessary, batteries are installed. The user can extend the telescopic segments to a desired length. When the user activates the switch the motor causes the rod to rotate. The elongate portion of the rod can be brought into contact with the cobweb. The cobweb is urged to wind around the rod and spools onto the rod gathering it in and thereby removing it. When the location of the cobweb is in a crevasse or other difficult to access position, the flexibility of the rod allows it to curve, while still rotating, to access these difficult locations. Upon finishing, the switch may be released stopping the rotation, and the telescopic extensions can be contracted.
Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context of that described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications are intended to form part of the invention described in this specification.

Claims

1. A cobweb cleaner comprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongate rod axially extending from an end of the handle, and a motor housed in the handle for axially rotating the rod relative to the handle, whereby in use the rod is rotated about its length and is able to be brought into contact with a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers in the cobweb around the rod.

2. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rod is flexible along its length so as to be able to curve into crevasses.

3. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle is telescopically extendible in length.

4. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of the rod is able to be attached, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

5. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a keyed socket connected to the motor and into which a keyed plug of the rod is able to be inserted, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

6. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the keying of the plug and socket is a multi-start thread that extends in a rotational direction so as to tighten the rod onto the connection of the handle when the motor is activated to rotate the rod.

7. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rod is disposable and replaceable.

8. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rod is formed of a flexible plastic.

9. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rod is formed of a resilient plastic.