US3469274A - Cleaning implement - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 1969 c. o. sNAPP 3,469,274'

CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Oct. 20, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2 Fig.

Cheste? 0. Snapp IN VJN'YUR,

BY WMMm Sept. 30, 1969 c. o. sNAPP 3,469,274

CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Oct. 20, 1967 I5 Sheets-Sheet z Fig. 4

Cheser 0. Snapp IN VliNTOl( 4 WWW am@ Sept. 30, 1969 o'. o. sNAPP 3,469,274

CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Oct. 20, 196'? 3 Sheets-Sheet s Fig. 7

Chester 0. Snapp 1N VENTOR.

United States Patent O Fice 3,469,274 `CLEANING IMPLEMENT Chester 0. Snapp, P.O. Box 865, Lodi, Calif. 95240 Filed Oct. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 683,426 Int. Cl. A46b 3/00 U.S. Cl. 15-228 12 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A plurality of flexible bars project in a common plane from a mounting member to elastically stiffen enclosing panel sections of a rug-like material for floor cleaning purposes. An elongated handle extends from the mounting member perpendicular to a lower edge formed by said panel sections spaced from the ends of the flexible bars.

The present application incorporates the disclosure set forth in my prior abandoned application, U.S. Ser. No. 390,281, filed Aug. 18, 1964.

The present invention is generally concerned with cleaning implements, and more particularly relates to a floor care device adapted to perform a variety of tasks such as sweeping, dusting, waxing, buffing, etc.

In conjunction with the above basic object, it is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide a cleaning device which can be effectively and conveniently used in dusting walls and ceilings.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a cleaning device which can be easily handled in the manner of a conventional broom.

Furthermore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a cleaning device which, though relatively simple in construction, is of a highly durable nature.

Basically, the device of the instant invention consists of a mounting bar having a plurality of elongated flexible or spring fingers mounted thereon and projecting therefrom, with a pliable covering of, preferably, rug material of the type having a relatively soft nap or outer surface, and a relatively stiff binding or backing. The ruglike panel encloses the spring fingers and projects therefrom with the lower edge being used in conducting various sweeping operations, the spring fingers providing the spring action associated with and considered desirable in a broom. By the same token, the outer face of the panel can be used for various dusting and bufiing operations. To complete the device, an elongated handle is provided thereon so as to project perpendicularly from a lower edge of the rug-like panel in the manner of a broom handle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of the cleaning device of the instant invention with a portion broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2-2 of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3--3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a slightly modified form of the oor cleaning device of the instant invention;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5 5 of FIG- URE 4;

3,469,274 Patented Sept. 30, 1969 FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of another form of cleaning device constructed in accordance with the present invention with a portion of the cleaning material peeled back;

FIGURE 8 is a side sectional view through the cleaning device shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing the disassembled portions of the cleaning device illustrated in FIG- URES 7 and 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a partial front elevational view illustrating a modification of the cleaning device shown in FIG- URES 7-9.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the form of the device illustrated in FIGURES 1-3. The device 10 includes an elongated semi-cylindrical mounting member 12 having a flat upper surface 14 and a pair of elongated slots 16 extending inwardly from `the opposite ends thereof. Extending through the slots 16 are a plurality of spaced flat spring steel fingers or bars 18 which are both flexible and elastic as is well known. Each bar has an upper end 20 thereof laterally bent and overlying the fiat upper surface 14 of the mounting member 12. As will be appreciated from the drawings, the fingers or bars 18 are coplanar and extend an equal distance below the mounting member 12. Driven fasteners 22 are extended transversely through the opposite ends of the mounting member 12 so as to close the slots 16 and effect a wedging of the fingers 18 therein.

The actual sweeping or dusting is effected by means of a rug-like panel 24 which is to be pliable and shape retaining and, in the manner of a conventional piece of rug, have a soft outer or upper surface 26 and a relatively stiff binding or backing 28 generally of a rubber-like material. The panel 24 is formed into two sections, the first section 30 extending from the mounting member 12 parallel and juxtaposed to one face of the spring steel fingers or bars 18 to a point substantially below the lower ends of the bars 18. The second section 32, integrally formed with the first section 30 at the lower end thereof, extends upwardly parallel and juxtaposed to the opposite sides of the bars 18, over the mounting member 12, and down along the upper portion of the outer face of the first section 30. In this manner, the spring fingers 18 are completely enclosed or encased with a double layer of the pliable material projecting below the ends thereof. The abutting or facing sides or faces of the sections 30 and 32 are bonded to each other along substantially the entire area thereof, this being done by either gluing or sewing, the portion of the section 32 overlapping the outer face of the section 30 also being bonded thereto.

Positioned over the mounting member 12 is a semicylindrical clamping member 34 having the fiat lower face 36 thereof positioned on top of the portion of the section 32 overlapping the mounting member 12. Clamping member 34 is secured to the mounting member 12 by a pair of fasteners 38 with the portion of the section 32 and the laterally bent ends 20 of the fingers 18 being clamped or sandwiched between surfaces 14 and 36.

Finally, an elongated rod-like handle 40, similar to a broom handle, is fixed to the mounting member 12 and clamping member 34 and projects centrally therefrom in a direction diametrically opposite from the direction of the fingers 18 and panel 24. This handle 40 can be secured to the members 12 and 34 by tapering the lower end 42 thereof and wedging it in a similarly tapered hole in the clamping member 34, a driven fastener 44 being projected upwardly through the mounting member 12 and into the lower end of the handle 40.

The form of the cleaning device illustrated in FIG- URES 4-6, and generally referred to by reference numeral 46, differs from the device in that the spring steel fingers or bars 48 are bent in half over the mounting bar 50 in a manner so as to provide a bight portion 52 engaged over the mounting member 50 and two downwardly diverging legs 54. A series of these flexible or spring fingers 48 are provided along the mounting bar 50 as will be appreciated from FIGURES 4 and 6.

The flexible panel 56, also of pliable shape retaining rug-like material, is folded substantially in half and includes a bight portion 58 overlying the bight portions of the bars 48 and the mounting member 50, and two diverging side sections overlying the outer faces of the diverging legs 54 and projecting a substantial distance therebeyond.

Coextensive with the lower portion of each of the panel sections 60 is a secondary panel 62 of similar material positioned juxtaposed the inner faces of the legs 54 and bonded to the sections 60 in any suitable manner such as by gluing or sewing, thereby completely enclosing the legs 54, or at least a substantial portion thereof. As will be appreciated from FIGURE 5, the lower edges of the secondary sections 62 are coplanar with the lower edges of the panel sections `60.

Finally, a clamping member 64 is fixed along the upper surface of the mounting member S0 in a manner so as to clamp the panel 56 and flexible spring fingers 48 therebetween, `a suitable elongated handle 66 extending upwardly from the center of the clamping member 64 so as to enable the device to be conveniently manipulated.

FIGURES 7-9 illustrate a cleaning device generally referred to by reference numeral 68 which includes an elongated handle 70 the lower portion of which forms a mounting member 72 for a plurality of flexible bars such as the three flexible bars 74, 76 and 78. 'Ihe bars are received within a slot 80 formed in the mounting member 72 in intersecting relation to each other. The bars thus extend from the mounting member in fixed angular relationship to each other. A pair of `fasteners 82 extend through the slot 80 in the mounting member so as to fixedly secure the flexible bars in their angular relationship. The ends 84, 86 and 88 of the bars remote from the mounting member are generally aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 70 and symmetrical with respect thereto as shown.

The flexible bars as well as the mounting member 72 from which they extend, are enclosed between the generally triangular sections 90 of a diamond-shaped, pliable panel 92 made of a rug-like material such as hereinbefore described in connection with the other forms of the invention. The panel 92 is accordingly folded along a base line 94 as shown in FIGURE 9 so as to form a lower edge spaced from and generally parallel to the aligned ends of the flexible bars or perpendicular to the handle 70. Opposite corners of the panel intersected by the base line 94 are cut away at 96 and the triangular sections of the panel on either side of the flexible bars are glued or stitched to each other along the leg portions 98 to completely enclose the bars as well as the mounting member just below the vertex portion 100 of the triangular sections.

In FIGURE 10, the flexible bars are received within the flattened portion 102 of a modified form of mounting member 72', the bars being fastened to the mounting member by a pair of fasteners such as rivets 104. The mounting member 72 also includes a socket portion 106 within which the elongated handle 70 is received. A fastener 108 secures the handle to the socket portion. The flexible bars and the mounting member 72 are enclosed between the triangular sections of a rug-like panel such as described in connection with FIGURES 7-9.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a novel floor cleaning device has been defined, this device, in any of the several forms described, incorporating a cleaning head having a desirable spring action and a relatively stiff lower edge of the type most conducive to an eflicient sweeping operation. In addition, the cleaning device is provided with flat enlarged side faces having a relatively soft covering thereon in conjunction with a relatively stiff internal construction, this being particularly useful in surface dusting operations, as well as Waxing and bufiing operations.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cleaning device comprising a rigid elongated mounting member, a plurality of flat flexible bars fixed to said member at spaced points along the length thereof and projecting laterally therefrom, an elongated flat panel of pliable shape retaining cleaning material fixed to said member and enclosing said flexible bars, said panel extending beyond the outer ends of said bars, and an elongated handle fixed to said mounting member and projecting therefrom, said panel including a pair of flat sections lying juxtaposed opposite sides of the flexible bars, said sections both extending from the mounting bar to a point beyond the outer ends of the bars and being integrally connected at the outer edges thereof, said sections being fixed to each other throughout a major p0rtion of the facing area thereof, one of said sections extending over the mounting member and partially down the outer side of the other section, and a clamping member overlying the mounting member and clamping said one section thereto.

2. A cleaning device comprising a rigid elongated mounting member, a plurality of flat flexible bars fixed to said member at spaced points along the length thereof and projecting laterally therefrom, an elongated flat panel of pliable shape retaining cleaning material fixed to said member and enclosing said flexible bars, said panel extending beyond the outer ends of said bars, and an elongated handle fixed to said mounting member and projecting therefrom, said bars each including a bight portion and a pair of diverging legs, each bight portion being received over the mounting member, said elongated panel including a bight portion and a pair of diverging sections, said panel bight portion overlying said mounting member and the bar bight portions thereon, each section extending to a point beyond the outer ends of the corresponding bar legs, and a pair of secondary panel sections of pliable shape retaining cleaning material, one of said secondary sections being fixed to the inner face of each of the first mentioned sections with the corresponding bar legs being sandwiched therebetween.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said panels are formed of rug-like material having a relatively soft working face, and a relatively stiff backing face.

4. A floor cleaning device comprising a rigid elongated mounting member, a plurality of flat flexible bars fixed to said member at spaced points along the length thereof and projecting laterally therefrom, an elongated flat panel of pliable shape retaining cleaning material fixed to said member and enclosing said flexible bars, said panel extending beyond the outer ends of said bars, and an elongated handle fixed to said mounting member and projecting therefrom, said mounting member including slot means therethrough, said flexible bars each having one end extending through the slot means and therebeyond, said one end being laterally bent to overlie said mounting member, and a clamping member overlying the mounting member and clamping the laterally bent ends thereto.

5. A cleaning device comprising a relatively rigid handle member having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of flat, elastically flexible bars only projecting from said member substantially in a common plane, said bars having outer ends remote from the handle member, a flat panel of pliable fabric fixed to said member and enclosing said flexible bars, said panel extending beyond the outer ends of said bars terminating at an edge portion centrally intersected perpendicularly by the longitudinal axis of the handle member, and means enclosed by said panel for securing the ilexible bars to the handle member with the outer ends fixed in symmetrically spaced relation to the longitudinal axis.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said iexible bars extend from the handle member in fixed angular relation to each other, said outer ends of the bars remote from the handle member being aligned substantially perpendicular to the handle member.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said at panel of cleaning material is generally diamond-shaped and folded into triangular sections forming a base at said edge portion substantially parallel to said aligned ends of the bars.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said securing means is provided with a slot receiving the flexible bars in intersecting relation to each other.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein said securing means is provided with a slot receiving the flexible bars in intersecting relation to each other.

10. The combination of claim 5 wherein said at panel is generally diamond-shaped and folded into triangular sections forming a base at said edge portion substantially perpendicular to said handle member.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said securing means is provided with a slot receiving the exible bars in intersecting relation to each other.

12. The combination of claim 5 including a flexible bar secured to the handle member and substantially parallel to the handle member with respect to the common plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,915,768 12/1959 Hall 15-244 3,105,263 10/ 1963 Ginter 15-244 1,025,800 5/ 1912 Fuller 15-228 1,653,415 12/ 1927 Purvis et al.

2,262,888 11/1941 Dodge 15-228 XR 2,301,505 11/1942 Bates l5-23l 2,602,948 7/ 1952 Kautenberg 15--244-4 XR 3,058,139 10/ 1962 Dryden 15-244 3,085,270 4/ 1963 Vosbikian et al. 15-118 XR DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner

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