WO2002037959A1

WO2002037959A1 - Multifunction monofilament fly swatter and broom

Info

Publication number: WO2002037959A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/042071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon K. Y. Sing
Original assignee: Sing Gordon K Y
Priority date: 2000-11-12
Filing date: 2000-11-12
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: AU2001243043A1

Abstract

A flyswatter and a broom having a handle (18) including a side wall forming a pool (40) and an open end. A plurality of rigid strands (20) are partially received by the pool and extend through a top side of the handle. A loop (22) may be provided extending from a second side of the handle for carrying. At least one band (38) may be included to extend around the plurality of strands. The plurality of strands may each be made of a fiber optic cable (48) with a light (52) positioned within the handle to produce a light. The handle may be telescopic (58).

Description

MULTIFUNCTION MONOFILAMENT FLY SWATTER AND BROOM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to fly swatters and more specifically to a

device having a handle with a loop for holding or carrying and a plurality of rigid

monofilament strands bound on one distal end by the handle.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention is a multifunction flyswatter and broom for swatting

and sweeping one of flies and bugs away from an area. The multifunction flyswatter

and broom includes a handle including a side wall forming a pool therein and an open

top end leading into the pool. A plurality of substantially rigid strands are partially

received by the pool and extend through the top side of the handle forming a surface

for one of swatting and sweeping flies and bugs. A loop may also be provided

extending from a second side of the handle for carrying or hanging the multifunction flyswatter and broom. At least one band may be included to extend around the

plurality of rigid strands for retaining the plurality of rigid strands together in a

bunch, one of the bands may be positioned outside of said pool and moveable along a

length of the plurality of rigid strands. The plurality of rigid strands may each be

made of a fiber optic cable, with a light positioned within the handle on a side of the

pool opposite the fiber optic cables for generating a light to illuminate said plurality

of fiber optic cables. The handle may be a telescopic handle movable between an

extended position and a retracted position.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present

invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood

when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like

reference characters designate the same or similar parts tliroughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention positioned on a floor next to a user; FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention being picked up by a user in preparation for use;

FIGURE 3 is a front perspective view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention being used by a user to swat flies;

FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view of the multifunction flyswatter and broom

of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the multifunction

flyswatter and broom of the present invention including a fiber optic cable used as the monofilaments;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the

multifunction flyswatter and broom of the present invention taken along the line 8-8 of

Figure 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side view of a third view of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention including a telescopic handle; and

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the

multifunction flyswatter and broom of the present invention taken along the line 10-10

of Figure 9.

The reference numbers utilized in the drawing figures are defined as follows:

10 multifunction flyswatter and broom of the present invention

12 ground on which user is seated user

blanket

handle of multifunction flyswatter and broom

rigid strands extending from handle

loop connected to handle

wrist of user

group of bugs

single bug on blanket

dashed lines indicating movement of rigid strands 32 first end of handle

34 second end of handle

36 open top side of second end

38 band around plurality of rigid strands

40 pool

42 band extending around the plurality of strands and positioned outside of

pool

44 lower section of handle

46 wall separating lower section of handle and pool fiber optic cables forming plurality of strands

lines indicating illumination of fiber optic cables

light

reflective surface surrounding light

power source

telescopic handle

plurality of interengaging sections 60

open top side of each of the plurality of interengaging sections

rim extending around each open top side 66 protrusion

68 base side of each of the plurality of interengaging sections

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters

denote similar elements throughout the several views, Figures 1 through 10 illustrate the

multifunction flyswatter and broom of the present invention indicated generally by the

numeral 10.

The multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 positioned

on a ground surface 12 adjacent a potential user 14. The user 14 is seated on a blanket

16 enjoying a picnic. The multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 includes a handle 18

including a plurality of substantially rigid strands 20 extending therefrom. Comiected to

an end of the handle 18 opposite the end through which the rigid strands 20 extend is a

loop 22. The loop 22 is used to aid the user 14 in carrying the multifunction flyswatter

and broom 10 and may be secured around a wrist 24 of the user 14. Figure 2 illustrates the user 14 preparing to use the multifunction flyswatter and

broom 10 to sweep away bugs 26 gathering on the blanket 16 and disrupting the picnic.

The bugs 26 are attracted by the smell of the food being eaten and gather on the blanket

16 in attempt to get some of the food. The multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is

picked up by the user 14 by grasping the handle 18. The rigid strands 20 are positioned

on the blanket 16 and in front of the group of bugs 26. The handle 18 is then pivoted

causing the rigid strands 20 to rotate in a sweeping motion thereby sweeping the group

of bugs 26 off of the blanket 16 and away from the picnic.

Alternatively, the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 may be used as

illustrated in Figure 3 to get rid of a single bug 28. In this instance, the user 14 will pick

up the handle 18 raising the rigid strands 20 off of the ground 12. When the user 14

flicks the wrist 24 the rigid strands 20 are caused to rotate in a direction indicated by the

dashed lines labeled 30 and towards the bug 28 positioned on the blanket. This

movement of the rigid strands 20 will cause the bug 28 to be crushed between the rigid

strands 20 and the ground 12 thereby killing the bug 28 and removing the annoyance. A side view of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is illustrated in Figure

4. This view clearly illustrates the components of the multifunction flyswatter and

broom 10. The multiftinction flyswatter and broom 10 includes a handle 18 including a

first flat end 32 on which the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 may be balanced

and a second end 34 having an open top side 36. The top side 36 provides an entrance

to a pool formed within and extending through a portion of the handle 18. The plurality

of substantially rigid strands 20 are partially received by and held within the pool formed

in the handle 18. The rigid strands 20 extend from the handle 18 so as to form the

swatting or sweeping section of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10. Extending

from the first end 32 of the handle 18 is a loop 22. The loop 22 may be positioned

about the wrist of the user for aiding the user in carrying the multifunction flyswatter

and broom 10.

The rigid strands are preferably made of a substantially rigid plastic having a

degree of flexibility and extend a distance of preferably substantially 26 inches from the

top side 36 of the handle. Alternatively, the rigid strands 20 may be made of any

polymeric material or any substantially rigid material which would provide the desired

results. Preferably there are approximately 175 strands received within the pool of the handle 18. The rigidity of the strands 20 must minimize the amount of wind created

when the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is rotated to sweep or swat a bug

thereby minimizing the amount of notice provided to the bug and minimizing the time

the bug has to escape when the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is being used to

swat the bug.

The handle 18 is preferably made of a molded plastic material. Alternatively, the

handle 18 may be made of any polymeric material or any substantially rigid material able

to receive and retain the rigid strands therein.

A top cross sectional view of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is

illustrated in Figure 5. This view is taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4. Form this view

the plurality of rigid strands 20 are seen wrapped in a bunch by a band 38. The band 38

holds the plurality of rigid strands 20 together and has an outer circumference able to fit

within the pool formed in the handle 18. Also shown in this figure is the loop 22

extending from the handle 18.

A side cross-sectional view of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is illustrated in Figure 6. This view is taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4. The pool 40 is

illustrated receiving the plurality of rigid strands 20. The plurality of rigid strands 20

extend partially into the pool 40 and include a plurality of bands 38 positioned

therearound to hold the rigid strands 20 closely together as a group. One band 42 is

positioned around the rigid strands 20 outside of the pool 40 and is moveable along the

length of the rigid strands 20. This band 42 adjusts the tension between the strands 20

and how tightly the strands 20 will be held together along their length. The pool 40

extends only partially through the length of the handle 18. The handle 18 includes a

lower section 44 positioned below the pool 40 and separated therefrom by a wall 46.

The lower section 44 is preferably hollow.

Figure 7 illustrates the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 including a

plurality of rigid strands formed of fiber optic cables 48. The ability of the fiber optic

cables 48 to illuminate is indicated by the lines identified by the numeral 50. A cross-

sectional view of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 taken along the line 8-8 of

Figure 7 is illustrated in Figure 8. From this view, the position of the fiber optic cables

48 within the pool 40 is clearly seen. Positioned in the lower section 44 of the handle 18

is a light 52 which provides Ught into the pool 40 and causes the fiber optic cables 48 to illuminate. The light 52 is surrounded by a reflective surface 54 to direct the light

produced thereby towards the fiber optic cables 48. Positioned within the lower section

and below the light 52 is a power source 56 which provides power to the light 52

causing the light 52 to illuminate. The power source 56 is shown as a pair of batteries

however any known conventional power source may be used as long as it will fit within

the handle 18 and provide enough power to cause the light to illuminate for an extended

period of time.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 including a

telescopic handle 58. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 9 taken along the line

10-10. The telescopic handle 58 includes a plurality of interengaging sections 60. The

plurality of interengaging sections 60 are positioned one inside the other, each section

having a larger circumference than the section positioned therein. Each section is

hollow and includes an open top side 62 with a rim 64 extending therearound. A

protrusion 66 extends around a base side 68 of each section for engaging the rim 64 of

the section in which it is place when the telescopic handle 58 is in an extended position.

The operation of the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, when a user spots a fly or bug

which is desired to be swatted or swept away, the user will lift the multifunction

flyswatter and broom 10 by grasping the handle 18. If it is desired to sweep the fly or

bug away, the user will move the rigid strands to a position in the line of motion of the

fly or bug and in contact with the ground. By flicking the wrist 24in the direction of the

fly or bug, the user will cause the rigid strands to rotate therewith and sweep the fly or

bug away. If it is desired to swat the fly or bug, the user will grasp the handle 18 and lift

the rigid strands in the air to a position above the fly or bug. The user will then flick the

wrist in a direction towards the fly or bug causing the rigid strands to rotate towards the

ground and swat the fly or bug.

If the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 illustrated in figures 7 and 8 is

being used, the user must provide power to the fiber optic cables 48 and then when the

multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is used to swat or sweep a fly or bug away, a

streak of light will be produced following the fiber optic cables 48 as they rotate with

the handle 18.

If the telescopic handle 58 is used, the user may need to extend the handle to reach a fly or bug in a far away or difficult location. In order to extend the handle and

thus increase the reach of the user, the user will simply grasp the outermost section 60

and apply a force in a direction away from the rigid strands 20. This will cause the

plurality of sections to slide away from the section positioned therein until the protrusion

extending around the base of one section engages the rim around the top side of the

section positioned immediately therein. The force is applied until the handle is of the

desired length. To retract the handle 18 a force is applied in the opposite direction until

each section is positioned completely within the section immediately theresurrounding.

In its retracted position the multifunction flyswatter and broom 10 is ready for storage

after use.

From the above description it can be seen that the multifunction flyswatter and

broom of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices

by providing a multifunction flyswatter and broom which is able to swat insects with

greater speed and surface area for killing the insects as well as sweeping insects away.

The multifunction flyswatter and broom includes a number of monofiliment strands held

together at one distal end by a handle and a device positioned on the handle for carrying

or hanging the device. The multifunction flyswatter and broom are also include at least one of a telescopic handle able to extend and retract over the fibers extending therefrom

and fiber optic cables as strands which are able to produce a lighted end and create a

streak of light during use. Furthermore, the multifunction flyswatter and broom of the

present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more

together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the

type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and

are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details

above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions

and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be

made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the

present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present

invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly

constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A multifunction flyswatter and broom for swatting and sweeping one of flies and bugs away from an area, said multifunction flyswatter and broom comprising: a) a cylindrical handle including a side wall forming a pool circular in cross section therein and an open top end leading into said pool; b) a plurality of substantially rigid strands partially received by said pool and extending through said open top end of said handle forming a surface for one of swatting and sweeping flies and bugs, said plurality of rigid strands being each a fiber optic cable ; c) a plurality of fixed spaced bands positioned along the inside of said handle and a band positioned around the rigid strands outside of said pool movable along a length of the rigid strands to hold said rigid strands together as a group; d) a light positioned within said handle on a side of said pool opposite said plurality of fiber optic cables for generating a light to illuminate said plurality of fiber optic cables; and e) a reflective surface partially surrounding said light for reflecting the light produced thereby towards said plurality of fiber optic cables.