US2469256A - Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2469256A
US2469256A US623079A US62307945A US2469256A US 2469256 A US2469256 A US 2469256A US 623079 A US623079 A US 623079A US 62307945 A US62307945 A US 62307945A US 2469256 A US2469256 A US 2469256A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
brush
bristles
vacuum
vacuum cleaners
dusting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US623079A
Inventor
Abram L Brakman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US623079A priority Critical patent/US2469256A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2469256A publication Critical patent/US2469256A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02Nozzles
    • A47L9/06Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
    • A47L9/0606Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads
    • A47L9/0613Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads with means specially adapted for picking up threads, hair or the like, e.g. brushes, combs, lint pickers or bristles pads
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02Nozzles
    • A47L9/06Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a brush attachment for vacuum cleaners, designed especially for convenient use in dusting operations.
  • the principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved brush so designed and constructed as to be particularly efficient in the operation of removing dust from furniture, draperies, curtains, etc.
  • Another object is the provision of a brush so constructed that it may be used with the greatest ease, even by an inexperienced person.
  • Still another object is the provision of a vacuum dusting brush so constructed as to give a good distribution of vacuum Within the space enclosed by the bristles of the brush.
  • a further object is the provision of a dusting brush in which the bristles are firmly held against accidental loosening, and in which they are so placed that no matter how much downward pressure is applied to the brush, the bristles will not cover or clog the vacuum passageway.
  • a still further object is the provision of a vacuum dusting brush so constructed that it is easier and more convenient to use than prior brushes.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a dusting brush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken longitudinally throuh the same;
  • Fig. 3 is, in part, a horizontal section through the same;
  • Fig. 4 is a cross section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is' an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, showing the manner of attaching the bristles to the body of the brush.
  • the brush of the present invention comprises, in its preferred form, a brush back member Il formed preferably of molded plastic material and having an elongated shape, slightly dished downwardly except at its ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and provided with a central longitudinal slot I3 somewhat shorter than the length of the brush but extending throughout the major part of the length, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the back member Il is provided with two rows of inclined holes l5 and l1', larger at the lower ends than at their upper ends, for receiving tufts of brush bristles or hairs 2
  • the individual bristles in each tuft are approximately twice the length of the tuft, and are folded or doubled back upon themselves at the upper end of the tuft (seated in the holes l5 and l1) and the Wire stitching 25 extends through each tuft of bristles at the center of the bend or fold, so that all of the individual bristles in the tuft are, in effect, wrapped around the wire stitching 25, as shown.
  • the bristles are held very securely in place and will last for an unusually long time without danger of accidental dislodgement.
  • the bristles are seated in the larger-diameter lower portions of the holes, and the Wires 25 come down to the bristles through the smaller-diameter upper portions of the holes.
  • a cover member 3l likewise preferably of molded plastic material, has a downwardly extending marginal ange 33 all the way around its periphery, tightly embracing the periphery of the member Il.
  • the bottom of the cover member 3l is fiat, and the corresponding top part of the back member Il (in the vicinity of the wire stitching 25) is likewise flat, and a suitable cement or adhesive 35 (Fig.
  • is hollowed as at 31 to increase the size of a chamber formed between the back member and the cover member. This chamber merges gradually into a cylindrical neck portion 4
  • This cylindrical neck 4l is of the proper size to fit the standard hose attachment or extension customarily used in association with vacuum cleaners, and is provided with any suit-able device or construction for holding the neck 4l rmly on the end of the hose or extension with which it is to be used.
  • the bristles 2l of the inner row are staggered with respect to the bristles 23 of the outer row, and that these two rows are quite close together, so that the two rows of bristles in conjunction with each other form a substantial wall around the periphery of the brush.
  • the brush is distinctly elongated, the rear end being preferably semicircular and the front end slightly pointed, as shown, and the brush being sufficiently narrow so that it may be thrust easily into small spaces or openings, such as the spaces between sections of a1.
  • heating fradiators Also'fit ⁇ i-s noted that both rows of vbristles 2
  • a ⁇ vacuum dusting brush comprising a relatively long and narrow brush back member having two rows of bristles projecting obliquely downwardly'andioutwardly from the lower face of said back member continuously around all sides ofi ⁇ sai'dmiemb'er; Said bristles being relatively long andifexible; aslot-formed through the thickness of said brush back member and extending longitudinal-ly thereof approximately centrally thereof throughout the major part of the length of said#A back membert ai cover memberVA overlying saidfbacieimember; ,said'l covenrmember Shaving.' a depend'ing: margincalfflange around; its periphery embracing and'.fcoverirrgt the: ⁇ lateral 'edge of said back mem-ber substantiallyicompletelyraround: the perimeterf'tlrereof.
  • f atei ofi said :backzsmember and fa ftubular vacuum connection neck formed integrally-with saidooverrmernberfandnextendingsobliquelyrupwardly and rearwardly therefromatianvacute angie f at"A axpointi approximately" two-thirds, ⁇ of thef'Fd-stanceffom fthefforwardljend of the brush toward-liliana rearzendi tnereorfv.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Description

'May 3, 1949. A. L. BRAKMN 2,469,256
DUsTING BRUSH RoR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed oct. 18, 1945 Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUSTING BRUSH FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Abram L. Brakman, Rochester, N. Y.
Application October 1S, 1945, Serial No. 623,079
2 Claims.
1 The present invention relates to a brush attachment for vacuum cleaners, designed especially for convenient use in dusting operations. The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved brush so designed and constructed as to be particularly efficient in the operation of removing dust from furniture, draperies, curtains, etc.
Another object is the provision of a brush so constructed that it may be used with the greatest ease, even by an inexperienced person.
Still another object is the provision of a vacuum dusting brush so constructed as to give a good distribution of vacuum Within the space enclosed by the bristles of the brush.
A further object is the provision of a dusting brush in which the bristles are firmly held against accidental loosening, and in which they are so placed that no matter how much downward pressure is applied to the brush, the bristles will not cover or clog the vacuum passageway.
A still further object is the provision of a vacuum dusting brush so constructed that it is easier and more convenient to use than prior brushes.
These and other desirable objects are accomplished by the construction disclosed as an illustrative embodiment of the invention in the following description and in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a dusting brush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken longitudinally throuh the same;
Fig. 3 is, in part, a horizontal section through the same;
Fig. 4 is a cross section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5 is' an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, showing the manner of attaching the bristles to the body of the brush.
The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts'.
The brush of the present invention comprises, in its preferred form, a brush back member Il formed preferably of molded plastic material and having an elongated shape, slightly dished downwardly except at its ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and provided with a central longitudinal slot I3 somewhat shorter than the length of the brush but extending throughout the major part of the length, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The back member Il is provided with two rows of inclined holes l5 and l1', larger at the lower ends than at their upper ends, for receiving tufts of brush bristles or hairs 2| and 23 respectively, which tufts are held in place by Wire stitching as indicated at 25, formed preferably of fine copper wires extending along the top of the brush back I l and looped downwardly through the holes l5 and il to extend through each separate tuft of bristles, as shown. The individual bristles in each tuft are approximately twice the length of the tuft, and are folded or doubled back upon themselves at the upper end of the tuft (seated in the holes l5 and l1) and the Wire stitching 25 extends through each tuft of bristles at the center of the bend or fold, so that all of the individual bristles in the tuft are, in effect, wrapped around the wire stitching 25, as shown. Thus the bristles are held very securely in place and will last for an unusually long time without danger of accidental dislodgement. As seen in Fig. 5, the bristles are seated in the larger-diameter lower portions of the holes, and the Wires 25 come down to the bristles through the smaller-diameter upper portions of the holes.
A cover member 3l, likewise preferably of molded plastic material, has a downwardly extending marginal ange 33 all the way around its periphery, tightly embracing the periphery of the member Il. For a short distance inwardly from the marginal iiange 33, the bottom of the cover member 3l is fiat, and the corresponding top part of the back member Il (in the vicinity of the wire stitching 25) is likewise flat, and a suitable cement or adhesive 35 (Fig. 4) is interposed between these two flat portions of the cover 3l and back Il, respectively, serving not only to hold the cover on the back, but also to hold the stitching 25 firmly in place and prevent dislodgement of the stitching and consequent dislodge- 35 ment of the bristle tufts, even if the stitching should accidentally break. Further inwardly, toward the center of the brush and beyond the area covered by the adhesive 35, the bottom surface of the cover 3| is hollowed as at 31 to increase the size of a chamber formed between the back member and the cover member. This chamber merges gradually into a cylindrical neck portion 4|, the axis of which lies in the same vertical plane with the longitudinal center line of the brush, and at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal plane of the brush back. This cylindrical neck 4l is of the proper size to fit the standard hose attachment or extension customarily used in association with vacuum cleaners, and is provided with any suit-able device or construction for holding the neck 4l rmly on the end of the hose or extension with which it is to be used.
It is noted from Figs. 3, 4, and 5 that the bristles 2l of the inner row are staggered with respect to the bristles 23 of the outer row, and that these two rows are quite close together, so that the two rows of bristles in conjunction with each other form a substantial wall around the periphery of the brush. It is also noted that the brush is distinctly elongated, the rear end being preferably semicircular and the front end slightly pointed, as shown, and the brush being sufficiently narrow so that it may be thrust easily into small spaces or openings, such as the spaces between sections of a1. heating fradiators Also'fit `i-s noted that both rows of vbristles 2| and 23` are inclined outwardly at a substantial angle, preferably being.
inclined at about 10 to 15 from a vertical poSi-' tion, so that if downward pressurefiistappli'edz tot the brush to tend to mash it down onto a surface, the bristles in mashing down will deinitely swing outwardly rather thanl inwardly, andzthfus.-
will not clog or interfere with the vacuum opening or passageway I3, which will at alltimes remain open and be capable of carrying off the dust andly dirt :by means of f a current of f air v.lowe ingffthroughfths. passageway f3; thence through the hallowedoutI space.` betweenf' the backA and the-r cover of the brush',r and f thence: to 'thei'neck di andiorr to the*vacuum` apparatus;
The use of Itheflon'gnarrow slot IStfin the-:back of the: brush hasbeenf lfound lto'- be :quite: ativan; tagfeousgl` since uit idistributes fthe vacu'tmi approxi mately evenly'. throughout lth'ef space: enel'osedfby thebristlesyl Ifthi's restrictedfsl'oty were-notempllfofyedl, Aandi` if"theibrushiI back I I v'werefcut away to ad substar'itially'v larger extent; the vacuum wouldF belargely? concentrated' irr. the vicinity where the-neck `It! connects 'with thefbru'shf; about twofthirds of tl'reway-bacl:v from thefront end of?the.bruslclA There would"` beta.' great rush of air inf-this vicinity; anda" great reduction' =of. the suctionf atthel frontf'and rear ends lof'tl'rei But by cutting only a restricted.Ielon'gatedjrsl'ot l3 through. the 'backll ofthebfrush; rather than awlarg'eropening', it is found that? alli .parts -of thespaee enclosed by thezbristles' arexsubjected to a-n adequatefam'ount'of `vafeuum'for suctioni;Y greatly improving-the. loperation fofl'the brush.'`
In `use,ftlf1'elon`g narrowbod'yf offtheibrushxmay be directlyfgrasped.Joy the' fingers; or' th'efn'eck 411i orf' the-hose' extensionconneetedtothisrneck cani be grasped: In 'feitherfv event the usef of" the brus'hlis very easy.- 'It Vmay-be movediup Aand down along f draperies? orfcurtainszh'anging.; on a brush* (preferablyabout ynten for'Vv twelveinchesl a widestreak ofE cleaning' iisl' 'accomplished 'each lateral stroke ofrlthe brush, so'f'that largxerarea isquicklyclaned'j yet inf spiteaof thisgreat'length of' the? brush, it is" not Sh'eavy or awkward irrruse, because of its narrown'ress.. hose-connectionis in' the sam'etvertical.planefwith the longitudinal axis' of thebrust-1^makesv this brus'hfl rniu'ch easier toiV use;` in gettingfg: into restricted openings;` or passageways" in furniture;
-radiators,-l eter, than.; the conventional; vacuum brushes in which the handle 'or-f hose: connection agaproxirnately1at` right: angles to the longituf dinal axis ofth'e brush.: The great-fusefulness or=tlrepresent brush ifsr easily demonstratedv by. a few` moment' of actual l use;y Yet' along with all theseY advantages, the brush isextremelysimple and inexpensive to manufacture;
It -is seen fro'rrr-theV foregoing disclosure that axconstructiorris provided which admirablyfulfills@ thev aboveementioned objects of the invention'. It is to be un'derstood'that the lforegoing disclosure isfgivenby lway of. illustrative*E example only, rather than by way of limitation, and that without departing from the invention, the construction may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.,
What isa-'claimed is:
l. A`vacuum dusting brush comprising a relatively long and narrow brush back member having two rows of bristles projecting obliquely downwardly'andioutwardly from the lower face of said back member continuously around all sides ofi`sai'dmiemb'er; Said bristles being relatively long andifexible; aslot-formed through the thickness of said brush back member and extending longitudinal-ly thereof approximately centrally thereof throughout the major part of the length of said#A back membert ai cover memberVA overlying saidfbacieimember; ,said'l covenrmember Shaving.' a depend'ing: margincalfflange around; its periphery embracing and'.fcoverirrgt the:` lateral 'edge of said back mem-ber substantiallyicompletelyraround: the perimeterf'tlrereof. .th'e'lowerf face4A off said'y cover memberfbeingaspaced. upwardly from the upper face of said back memberti throughout the centralizpart of isaidexinsembemand` tubular. I vacuum conn'ectiorrneclcformedzintegrallywith said'` cover member an'dfirisingobliqnelyttherefrornat-:a point intermediate. theendsfof said cover member,l said tubularfneckrhavingea raxisiflying approximately ine the? :samer fvertical planes 1 as the"J longitudinal axis of said back member-and-'coverLrnemberand latein-'griinclined:atanrl auflgl'erof approxm'atelyl 45 degrees itowsaitealong-itudinalvaxis:
2-. `A vaouurlrr?dustingrbrush;I Acomprising a rela.- tivelyfy long; and narrow#` brushy back? member roundedQ-at itsf rearxe'ndrland pointed -at Lits. forward endvai pirrralityrfl otr closely:A adjacent rows of i relativ'el'w longs and flexibler bristles i projectings oblduelyr d'o-wrrwardlyi and outwardly from therlowerrfacerotfsaid'ibaclnmember close tothe perimeter thereof and continuously around-iall sidesif of said? perimeter; af-lorrgfI narrow slot; eX- tendiingt througlirl sardo back@ member* approximateliylalongtheicenter lfiney thereofathrougl'i` sub stanti'allya'moreftifarrfhah *of thelength-y thereof', a coverlmernber overlyirrgisaid baclr'm'emberand havingratdependingimarginal zflange embracing andfcoveringtthsrlaterat ledge orisaidfback' member around substantially the completes-:perimeter thereof; the:central :partl on said: cover member having its lower face spaced upwardlyfrom'the upper-! f atei ofi said :backzsmember: and fa ftubular vacuum connection neck formed integrally-with saidooverrmernberfandnextendingsobliquelyrupwardly and rearwardly therefromatianvacute angie f at"A axpointi approximately" two-thirds,` of thef'Fd-stanceffom fthefforwardljend of the brush toward-liliana rearzendi tnereorfv.
4 ABRAM L.
US623079A 1945-10-18 1945-10-18 Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners Expired - Lifetime US2469256A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US623079A US2469256A (en) 1945-10-18 1945-10-18 Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US623079A US2469256A (en) 1945-10-18 1945-10-18 Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2469256A true US2469256A (en) 1949-05-03

Family

ID=24496689

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US623079A Expired - Lifetime US2469256A (en) 1945-10-18 1945-10-18 Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2469256A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2734212A (en) * 1956-02-14 Brush structure
US3358317A (en) * 1965-10-23 1967-12-19 Oscar G Woodruff Vacuum brush
US4506406A (en) * 1980-10-06 1985-03-26 Lamonte Salvatore Attachment tool for a vacuum cleaner hose
EP0292611A2 (en) * 1987-05-23 1988-11-30 Roman Dietsche KG Brooms, scrubbers, brushes and the like
US6266846B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2001-07-31 Talentone Development Limited Vacuum cleaner
EP1421891A1 (en) * 2002-11-25 2004-05-26 Conet Industries Inc. A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
US20130055577A1 (en) * 2011-09-07 2013-03-07 Stanford Jensen Reciprocating saw dust shroud

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US124409A (en) * 1872-03-05 Improvement in toilet-brushes
US919606A (en) * 1906-05-10 1909-04-27 Vacuum Engineering Company Pneumatic suction cleaning apparatus.
US1696811A (en) * 1927-06-02 1928-12-25 Invincible Vacuum Cleaner Mfg Suction cleaner tool
US1808178A (en) * 1926-10-18 1931-06-02 Arco Vacuum Corp Vacuum brush
US2101222A (en) * 1936-02-18 1937-12-07 Mccracken Leonard Oren Vacuum cleaner appliance
US2241776A (en) * 1937-09-02 1941-05-13 Electrolux Corp Nozzle for vacuum cleaners

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US124409A (en) * 1872-03-05 Improvement in toilet-brushes
US919606A (en) * 1906-05-10 1909-04-27 Vacuum Engineering Company Pneumatic suction cleaning apparatus.
US1808178A (en) * 1926-10-18 1931-06-02 Arco Vacuum Corp Vacuum brush
US1696811A (en) * 1927-06-02 1928-12-25 Invincible Vacuum Cleaner Mfg Suction cleaner tool
US2101222A (en) * 1936-02-18 1937-12-07 Mccracken Leonard Oren Vacuum cleaner appliance
US2241776A (en) * 1937-09-02 1941-05-13 Electrolux Corp Nozzle for vacuum cleaners

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2734212A (en) * 1956-02-14 Brush structure
US3358317A (en) * 1965-10-23 1967-12-19 Oscar G Woodruff Vacuum brush
US4506406A (en) * 1980-10-06 1985-03-26 Lamonte Salvatore Attachment tool for a vacuum cleaner hose
EP0292611A2 (en) * 1987-05-23 1988-11-30 Roman Dietsche KG Brooms, scrubbers, brushes and the like
DE3717430A1 (en) * 1987-05-23 1988-12-08 Dietsche Roman Kg BROOM, SCRUBBER, BRUSH OD. DGL.
EP0292611A3 (en) * 1987-05-23 1990-04-04 Roman Dietsche KG Brooms, scrubbers, brushes and the like
US6266846B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2001-07-31 Talentone Development Limited Vacuum cleaner
EP1421891A1 (en) * 2002-11-25 2004-05-26 Conet Industries Inc. A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
US20040098829A1 (en) * 2002-11-25 2004-05-27 Young-So Song Inhaler for a vacuum cleaner
US20130055577A1 (en) * 2011-09-07 2013-03-07 Stanford Jensen Reciprocating saw dust shroud
US9038275B2 (en) * 2011-09-07 2015-05-26 Dustless Depot, Llc Reciprocating saw dust shroud

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4429434A (en) Toothbrush
US2637870A (en) Toothbrush construction
US6402104B1 (en) Suction cup-supported bathroom accessory
US2241775A (en) Nozzle for vacuum cleaners
US2528992A (en) Toothbrush
US6490753B1 (en) Steam cleaner
US2469256A (en) Dusting brush for vacuum cleaners
US2528278A (en) Nozzle for suction cleaners
US3118165A (en) Squeegee suction cleaner
US4091496A (en) Vacuum cleaner nozzle
US3737936A (en) Hair brush with means to remove fallen hairs
KR100962796B1 (en) Washing apparatus for nursing bottle
US2206542A (en) Denture brush
US2511238A (en) Rug nozzle
US2701380A (en) Attachment for toothbrushes
HU1723U (en) Carpet cleaner brush
US1005985A (en) Combined tooth-brush and paste-tube holder.
US2520942A (en) Vacuum cleaner head
US9161613B1 (en) Tongue scraper toothbrush system
US3745603A (en) Vacuum cleaner suction tool for cleaning deep pile shag rugs
CN204839357U (en) A dust absorption annex for vacuum cleaner
US3618596A (en) Oral hygiene device
US2613388A (en) Vacuum cleaner air nozzle and adjustable brush therefor
US2851717A (en) Rug guard for suction cleaner nozzle
US2382205A (en) Broom duster