US2719999A

US2719999A - Toilet bowl swab

Info

Publication number: US2719999A
Application number: US297520A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl V Hardin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-07-07
Filing date: 1952-07-07
Publication date: 1955-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-11

Description

TOILET BOWL SWAB Filed July 7, 1952 Fig.

Fig. 2

Carl V. Hardin INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,719,999 TOILET BOWL SWAB Carl V. Hardin, Greenfield, Ind. Application July 7, 1952, Serial No. 297,520 1 Claim. (Cl. -210) The present invention relates to a hand implement which is expressly designed for use by one in vigorously brushing, scrubbing and thus effectively cleansing the interior surfaces of a toilet bowl and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and economical construction which will fulfill, generally speaking, the requirements of manufacturers engaged in this line of endeavor and persons called upon to handle the often undesirable chore of maintaining a toilet bowl at the height of cleanliness.

Short-handled brushes, mops and scrubbing utensils are of course, in vogue and there are many of such constructions in use. Hence, reasonably reliable and satisfactory results are had. It is to be realized, however, that it is quite difficult to keep the mop or brush head in a sanitary state despite the frequent flushings to which it may be subjected once the surfaces of the bowl are brought to requisite cleanliness. There has therefore long existed a need for an implement in which the head is of unique shape and configuration and is non-porous and fairly rigid and yet slightly resilient to provide limited yieldable characteristics, but to still present firm surfaces which are effectively conformable to the porcelain surfaces with which they coact and to in this manner do a worthwhile and complete cleaning job, one which results in complete removal of excreta deposits and incrustations, film, rust and other extraneous matter. To this end it is an object to provide, therefore, a block-like head or swab of desired rigidity and to, in addition, contour the shape of the head to permit its complemental surfaces to do what is necessary to be done in probing and otherwise manipulating the head for satisfactory accomplishments.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head which is attached to one end of a short Wooden or equivalent handle, is of elongate form and is gradually tapered from the heel toward the toe end and is also narrowed in width, that is, from a bottom or top plan interpretation. The longitudinal edges are of curvate form and the top and bottom surfaces are respectively concave and convex, all of these surfaces giving the desired contour to the over-all head susceptible of enabling the user to do the often undesirable job in a highly desirable manner.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is what may be called a top plan view of a toilet bowl cleansing swab constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side or edge elevation of the same.

The handle which may be of wood is some ten inches more or less in length and is generally cylindrical and is denoted by the numeral 4. It is provided at one end with a screw-eye 6 which may be employed as a hang-up element. The opposite end of the handle is formed into a shank which is reduced as at 8 and is embedded centrally and thus secured in one end of the swabbing head 10. The head 10 is, of course, the important feature here, and instead of using a sponge, a yarn or equivalent cloth mop, or a brush with nylon or equivalent bristles, a solid rubber block-like body is utilized. This is of elongate form and is relatively small and generally will be some six or eight inches in length. The expression block is used to imply that it may be interpretated as an elongate block of rubber in its broadest sense. More specifically, however, the block is molded, trimmed or otherwise formed so that the transverse surface at the heel end 12 is substantially flat as at 14. Toward the opposite end the block is gradually narrowed in width to define what may be called the toe 16 and this is also blunt and straight across as at 18 and is substantially fiat as is better evidenced in Figure 2. Not only is the free or toe end gradually narrowed but it is also decreased in thickness, mm a side elevational point of view, :as shown best in Figure 2. This may be said to be a taper. Thus, the toe is gradually narrowed and tapered. This permits it to be rammed and jammed into the goose-neck portion of the bowl for virtually scrubbing out any accumulations of this often and otherwise secluded area. The longitudinal sides are curved in lengthwise directions as at 20-20. The top, the surface seen in Figure 1, is slightly concave and therefore suitably dished as at 22. The opposite or bottom side is mildly convex as result of a long curve as at 24. By thus coordinating and contouring these complemental surfaces and employing non-porous substantially solid but slightly resilient block of rubber, a truly effective swabbing head is had. The swab is sanitary and will last indefinitely, will not soak up water, will not scratch the surface, does not soften or become ineffective as a cleaning agent.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new 1s:

A swabbing implement through the medium of which the interior surfaces of a porcelain or similar toilet bowl may be vigorously brushed, scrubbed and efii'ectually cleansed comprising a linearly straight rigid handle provided at one end with an axially disposed head in the form of a solid block of firm but yieldingly resilient nonporous rubber, said block being of elongated generally ovate configuration in plan and relatively thick and thus stout and substantially rectangular in cross-section from end to end, uninterruptedly smooth and convex on its bottom side, uninterruptedly smooth and generally concave on the top side, having outwardly curved convex length- Wise edges and thus providing a firm heel at the handleequipped end and a toe at the other end, said toe being truncated, flat and therefore blunt at its teminal end, narrower than said heel, of a cross-sectional thickness less than that of the body portion of the block and being thus resiliently flexible and consequently highly adaptable to serve its intended diversified purposes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 30,291 Merrill Feb. 28, 1899 D. 30,404 Booker Mar. 28, 1899 265,319 Howell Oct. 3, 1882 1,002,468 Strangman Sept. 5, 1911 1,401,457 Beuckmann Dec. 27, 1921 1,586,337 Stockwell May 25, 1926 1,927,350 Schopp Sept. 19, 193.3 2,065,886 Clift Dec. 29, 1936 2,280,225 Finely Apr. 21, 1942 2,591,301 Schacht Apr. 1, 1952