US3167800A - Washing brushes - Google Patents

Description

L. J. MUNDO WASHING BRUSHES Feb, 2, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 10, 1963 INVENTOR.

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L. J. MUNDO WASHING BRUSHES Feb. 2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1963 a 5 w V d W 5 MC 1/ m Feb. 2, 1965 J. MUNDO 3,

WASHING BRUSHES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 10, 1963 INVENTQR. Jaw/ c/ WW United States Patent 3,167,860 WASHING BRUSHES Louis J. Mundo, 1407 W. Pershing Road, Qhicago 9, ill. Filed May 10, 1963, Ser. No. 279,516 Claims. (Q1. 15-479 My invention relates to new and useful improvements in washing brushes especially constructed and adapted to be used in washing machines for washing automobiles, railroad cars, busses and the like.

Brushes of this character which are now presently in use comprise a plurality of brush units each consisting of a core carrying bristles of high density. Such cores are mounted in superimposed aligned relation with respect to each other upon a shaft. Upon rotation of such shaft the brush units are rotated against the surface of an automobile, railroad car, bus, or the like being washed and cleaned.

The brush units due to the strenuous use to which they are subjected must, from time to time, be replaced. Such replacement is usually done by one other than a skilled mechanic. Consequently it is essentially necessary that the brush units be of a construction such as will permit easy and quick removal from the shaft individually whenever conditions require. To reduce to a minimum time and labor necessary to facilitate such expeditious removal of the brush units, the structure should be as simple as possible.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide brush units which comprise relatively few parts and which are of a simple structure to facilitate easy and quick removal.

A further and equally important object of the invention is to provide each of the brush units with a core which will be substantially durable and capable of withstanding the rugged treatment to which it is subjected and yet be of a relatively light weight, the latter being important from the standpoint that when a plurality of brush units are arranged upon and connected to a shaft in superimposed aligned position with respect to each other, the weight of the completed unit will be reduced to a minimum.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush assembly utilizing the brush units of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partly in section of the brush units with the bristles removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the brush unit as seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the end plates of the brush unit;

FIG. 7 is a plan View of the reverse side of that shown in FIG. 6 and taken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective sectional detail view through the core of the brush unit;

FIG. 10 is an end view of one of the core sections embodied in the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified form of construction;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of that shown infIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line l313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an intermediate plate embodied in the form of construction shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

The brush assembly of the form of construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 inclusive is indicated generally at B. Such assembly includes an elongated rotatable shaft 20. Mounted longitudinally on such shaft 29, in superimposed aligned position with respect to each other, are brush units 21. As each of such brush units 21 is of like construction, the description of one will be equally applicable to the other. Each brush unit 21 comprises a hollow core 22 (FIG. 2). Each core comprises complementary hollow core sections 23 and 24. Such core sections 23 and 24 are of similar construction, each being substantially semi-circular in cross section and formed preferably of light-weight metal or other material, such as plastic or the like.

In the present instance, while each core section 23 and 24 is formed of extruded metal, the same may be cast or molded. Each section 23 and 24 provides an inner wall 25 and an outer wall 26. The outer Wall 26 has a plurality of openings 27 formed therein. In line with these openings 27, there are formed in the inner wall openings 23. The diameter of each of the openings 28 is substantially smaller (FIG. 9) than that of the diameter of each of the openings 27. A bundle of flexible bristles 2? of proper bristle density is folded longitudinally upon itself, as for example, in U-shaped form. A wire thread 30 is projected through one of the openings 27 and through the folded bundle at its bight portion so as to enable the inner end portion of the bundle to be drawn through the opening 27 where it is secured by the Wire thread 30. This method of securing the bristles to the core is wellknown in the art and, per so, does not constitute a part of the present invention. The bristles are preferably formed of polystyrene, or such other material as will best serve the purpose.

After the bristles have been assembled upon the core in the manner shown in FIG. 9, the length of the bristles is made uniform by any suitable manner wellknown in the art.

The walls 25 and 26 have their respective long edges integrally connected together by webs 31 (FIG. 2). The walls 25 and 26 are reinforced by spaced apart reinforcing ribs 32, FIG. 10. After the bristles have been securely connected to the core sections 23 and 24, the core sections of each brush unit are arranged in confronting relation with respect to each other to form an elongated core substantially circular in cross section.

To mount the brush cores 22 upon the shaft 20 superimposed aligned position vviith respect to each other, there are provided intermediate plates 33 and end caps 34. The intermediate plates 33 are of similar construction. Each comprises semi-circular coplanar segments 35 and 36. Along the abutting edges of the segments 35 and 36 are abutting flanges 37 and 38 defining therebetween a split bearing sleeve 39 through which the shaft 20 passes. On one side 40' of the segments 35 and 36 at opposite ends of the flanges 37 and 38 (FIG. 6) are lateral flanges 40 which form circumferential grooves 41. On the said one side 40' of the segments 35 and 36 there are formed integral spaced flanges 42 arranged in pairs, with each pair providing a groove 44 in circumferential alignment with the grooves 41. The outer of the flanges 42 each carry a set screw 43 which bears against the adjacent end portion of the core sections 23 and 24 (FIG. 2) to secure such core sections within the grooves 4-1 and 44.

On the opposite side 45 (FIG. 7) of each segment 35 ments 35 and 36 incoplan'ar relation with respect to each other and upon the shaft 20. When the core sections 23 and 24 are assembled to form thecore of the brush unit, the opposed end portions 52 thereof will be mounted to engage in the grooves 41, .44, 44 and48, respectively (FIG. 2). When the core sections 23 and 24 are thus assembled with respect to the intermediate plates 33,.tl1e plates 35 are removably keyed to the shaft 26 by means of removable keys 53 (FIG. 3). Such keys 53 engage in key slots 54 and 55 formed respectively in the bearing sleeves 39 and 47, and in the shaft 2t}. In this manner, the intermediate plates 33 are connected to the shaft Zti for rotation therewith.

The cap 34 (FIGS. 2-4), like the intermediate plates through openings formed in the adjacent end portions 57 of the core sections 23 and 24 and which are threaded into the flanges 56.

The cap 34 likewise has abutting flanges 58 opposite the side thereof bearing the grooves 56. These flanges '53 provide a split bearing sleeve 59 through which the shaft 26 projects and is removably keyed thereto by keys .eti engaging in the slots 55 and 60' formed in the shaft 29 and bearing sleeve 59, respectively (FIG. 2). The flanges 58 are connected in abutting relation with respect to each other and upon the shaft 20 by nut-bearing bolts 61 1 (FIGS. 23).

Should it be required that one of the brush units, for example, the unit indicated at B (FIG. 1) be removed, the removal of this brush unit is accomplished in the following manner:

The bolts 58' are unscrewed to remove the flanges 57". The set screws 43 are unscrewed from engagement with the core sections. The bolts 61 of the cap 34 and the bolts of the intermediate plate 33 are loosened. This permits the end cap 34 and intermediate plate to be moved where they are again secured in position upon the shaft As will be noted in FIG. 6, perforations 62 are formed in the intermediate plates to permit water or other fluid to drain from the core of the brush units.

In FIGS. 11 to 15 inclusive, I have illustrated a modi fied form of construction for connecting the brush cores 63 to the shaft Zii. The intermediate plates 64-, as seen in FIG. 14, comprise two coplanar sections dSand 6d connected together about the shaft 2t) by means of nut bearing bolts 67. Each of these sections provides on op posite diametrical sides as shown in FIG. 14, laterally extending bosses 68 from which project threaded studs 69. Mounted on each of these studs 69 is a clamping plate d 70. Between the clamping plate 70 and the lug 68 and on opposite sides of the studs 69 are adaptedto be mounted the opposite end portions of thecore sections 23' and 24.

Each section 65 and 66 making up the intermediate plates 64, provide opposing grooves 71 and 72 which are adapted to receive the end portions of the core sections 23' and 24, FIG. 14. When the core sections 23 and 24 are thus mounted with respect to the sections 65 and 66, they are clamped in such position by means of the clamping plates 7% which are caused to bear against the core sections by threading the nuts 73 firmly thereagainst (FIGS. 11, 14). The intermediate plate 64 is removably keyed to the shaft 20 by means of keys 74. In order to permit the ends of confronting core sections 23and 24'to abut when arranged in their respective groove, there are provided in the ends thereof recesses 78 through which the threaded studs 69 pass (FIG. 15

The cap 65" as shown in FIGS.- 11-13 is similar in construction to the intermediate plate 64. The primary difference resides in the form of the clamps indicated at 63'. It will be seen in FIG. 11 that each of the clamps 68 has an inwardly turned flange 75 which is disposed over the end 76 of the adjacent core section (FIGS. 11- 13). The clamp 75 is secured in clamping position by a nut '73 threaded upon a stud 69. The sections 65 and 66 of the cap 65" are secured about the shaft 29 by means of nut-bearing bolts-6'7 and, like the sections 65 and 66 of the intermediate plate 64, are removabiy keyed as at 74 .to the shaft 29.

The form of construction shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 inclusive functionally and structurally is otherwise the same as the form-of construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 inclusive. 7 I

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a structure for removably and securely connecting a piurality ofbrash units upon a rotatable shaft forrotation therewith. Such structure also permits, when occasion'requires, separate and individual removal of the brush units with ease and with the minimum degree of effort on thepart of the operator.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having. thus described my invention, what I claim as new'and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A rotatable washing .brush having a pair of brush elements comprising, 7

(a) semi-circular cores having hollow elongated walls,

(b) means provided by said walls for receiving bundles of brush bristles so that the same will extend substantially perpendicular thereto, 7

e (c) an elongated rotatable shaft about which each hollow core is freely mounted,

(d) mounting meanstformountingsaid cores in a coplanar relation with respect to each other. and circumferentially spaced about the shaft,

(e) means provided by said mounting means for re movably receiving the, opposite peripheral edges of said hollow walls for mounting said cores thereto,

(1) means provided by said mounting means through which said shaft is freely journalled with the hollow wallsiof said cores circumferentially spaced there about, and i (g) means for connecting saidmounting' means and said cores carried thereby to said shaft for rotation therewith. 2. A rotatable washing brush as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises complementary semi-circular end caps arranged in coplanar relation and upon which the opposite ends of the peripheral edges of corresponding semi-circular cores are mounted in a coplanar relation with respect to each other and circumferentially spaced about the shaft; and further defined by including as the means provided by said mounting means through which said shaft is freely journalled, laterally extending split bearing sleeves provided by said end caps, with said sleeves cooperating to form a circular bearing for embracing said shaft.

3. A rotatable washing brush as defined by claim 1 wherein the means provided by said mounting means for removably receiving the opposite peripheral edges of said cores comprise laterally extending spaced apart flange members on said mounting means providing circumferentially extending grooves for removably receiving opposite peripheral edges of the hollow walls of said cores and further defined by including locking keys as the means for connecting said mounting means and said cores carried thereby to said shaft for rotation therewith.

4. A rotatable washing brush comprising a plurality of brush elements arranged in longitudinal alignment with respect to each other,

(a) said brush elements each comprising semi-circular cores having hollow elongated walls,

(b) means provided by said walls for receiving bundles of brush bristles so that the same will extend substantially perpendicular thereto,

(c) an elongated rotatable shaft about which said brush elements are freely mounted,

(a') means for mounting said cores of each brush element in a coplanar relationship and circumferentially spaced about said shaft,

(a) means provided by said mounting means for removably receiving the opposite peripheral edges of said hollow walls of each of said cores for mounting said brush elements thereto,

(f) means provided by said mounting means through which said shaft is freely journalled with the hollow 6 walls of each of said cores circumferentially spaced thereabout,

(g) connecting means on opposite ends of said washing brush for receiving the corresponding peripheral edges of said end brush elements for connecting the same together and mounting the connected elements to said shaft, and

(It) means provided by said last named means for connecting said brush to said shaft for rotation therewith.

5. A rotatable washing brush as defined by claim 4 wherein said means for mounting said cores of each brush element in a coplanar relationship and circumferentially spaced about said shaft comprises complementary semicircular intermediate plates positioned about said shaft and providing means on opposite sides thereof for receiving corresponding peripheral edges of each of said cores for mounting the same upon said shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,393 3/30 Pflimin. 1,975,561 10/34 Dossmann 15-179 1,968,986 8/34 Blackhall 15-53 2,021,913 11/35 Fallon 29-124 2,970,333 2/61 Jones 15-183 2,97 8,726 4/61 Park 15183 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,7 36 6/ 37 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES Sooieta (German printed application) $32233 11/630, May 9, 1956.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A ROTATABLE WASHING BRUSH HAVING A PAIR OF BRUSH ELEMENTS COMPRISING, (A) SEMI-CIRCULAR CORES HAVING HOLLOW ELONGATED WALLS, (B) MEANS PROVIDED BY SAID WALLS FOR RECEIVING BUNDLES OF BRUSH BRISTLES SO THAT THE SAME WILL EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR THERETO, (C) AN ELONGATED ROTATABLE SHAFT ABOUT WHICH EACH HOLLOW CORE IS FREELY MOUNTED, (D) MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CORES IN A COPLANAR RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT THE SHAFT, (E) MEANS PROVIDED BY SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR REMOVABLY RECEIVING THE OPPOSITE PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID HOLLOW WALLS FOR MOUNTING SAID CORES THERETO, (F) MEANS PROVIDED BY SAID MOUNTING MEANS THROUGH WHICH SAID SHAFT IS FREELY JOURNALLED WITH THE HOLLOW WALLS OF SAID CORES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED THEREABOUT, AND

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