WO2005084510A1

WO2005084510A1 - Versatile tools

Info

Publication number: WO2005084510A1
Application number: PCT/US2004/005592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven J. Caruso
Original assignee: Caruso Steven J
Priority date: 2004-02-24
Filing date: 2004-02-24
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

A hand held rotary duster for dusting surfaces is described. In one embodiment the device includes a housing (1), a drive (14,17), a generally cylindrical rotating duster (20), and a conduit (7-9). The housing is axially elongated and has a first end, a second end, and a center section. The drive is associated with the housing. The dusting element is a generally cylindrical rotating duster having a first end, an axially spaced second end, and an axis of rotation, its first end being coupled to the drive. The conduit extends at least substantially from the first end of the housing to the second end of the duster. The conduit has an inlet and an outlet. The duster optionally includes a reduction drive arrangement that reductively couples the drive motor to the duster. The duster optionally includes a generally planar surface extending from the housing and in frictional contact with the duster and a vacuum port in the generally planar surface for removing dust from the dusting element. The device weighs less than five pounds.

Description

VERSATILE TOOLS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to tools used in maintenance and in the treatment of surfaces and the cleaning and collection of dust and other debris from a variety of surfaces. Examples of such tools are dusters and motor-driven-power heads for driving dusters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the cleaning and treating of various surfaces. One object of the invention is to create new and novel ways of removing dust from surfaces. While there have been a multitude of tools for dusting, there are serious limitations, as the solutions to date have been manual, limited in cleaning capacity, and lacking the advantages and efficiency that automation brings to most tasks. The following patents show dusters: US Pat. Nos. 4,833,746 and 5,692,417.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the invention is a hand held device for dusting surfaces. The device includes a housing, a drive, a generally cylindrical rotating duster, and a conduit. The housing is axially elongated and has a first end, a second end, and a center section. The drive is associated with said housing. The generally cylindrical rotating duster has a first end, an axially spaced second end, and an axis of rotation, its first end being coupled to the drive. The conduit extends from at least substantially from the first end of the housing to the second end of the duster. The conduit has an inlet and an outlet. The device weighs less than five pounds (2.3 kilograms). Another aspect of the invention is a hand held device for cleaning surfaces, the device comprising a housing, a drive, a duster, a conduit, and a reduction drive arrangement. The housing has a first end, a second end, and a center section. The drive is mounted to the housing. The conduit extends at least substantially from the first end of the housing to the second end of the duster. The conduit has an inlet and an outlet, and the inlet is disposed generally in line with the duster. The reduction drive arrangement reductively couples the drive motor to the duster . Another aspect of the invention is a hand held device for cleaning dust from surfaces, including a housing; a motive drive associated with the housing; a duster coupled to the motive drive; a generally planar surface extending from the housing and in frictional contact with the duster; a vacuum port in the generally planar surface; and a reduction drive arrangement coupling the drive motor reductively to the duster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a trimetric view of an articulated power unit for one embodiment of the invention, configured in its straight position. Figure 2 is a trimetric view of the embodiment of Figure 1, configured in its angled position. Figure 3 is an exploded trimetric view of the embodiment of Figure 1, showing additional components associated with the power unit for use as a rotary duster. Figure 4 is a trimetric view of another embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation of still another embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is an exploded trimetric detail view of a vacuum attachment for use with the dusters of previous figures. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing a different embodiment. Figure 8 is a trimetric view of another embodiment of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

List of reference characters used in the drawings, like characters indicate like parts: 1) First body member of the tool. 2) Second body member of the tool. 3) Rotatable shaft 4) Power switch 5) Release button 6) Drive shaft 7) Vacuum conduit 8) Air inlet holes/aperture(s) 9) Conduit orifice/air outlet 10) Shield 11) Fibrous duster 12) A face of 7 13) Baffle 14) Motor and/or reduction drive unit 15) Bleeder valve 16) Swivel caps of 18 17) Center Swivel of 7 18) Tubular body 19) Light source

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While the invention will be described in connection with several preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. One embodiment of the present invention relates to making a hand held tool adapted for dusting surfaces. "Hand held," for the present purpose, refers to a tool that is light enough that the user can easily use it while entirely supporting it with one hand, although a hand held device can be adapted to be held with both hands, as well, without departing from this definition. The dividing line between hand held devices and non-hand held devices is primarily weight: a handheld device will weigh less than five pounds, optionally less than four pounds, optionally less than three pounds, optionally less than two pounds, exclusive of any optional attachments like extension handles or the like. The device can include a motive power source, a dusting head or duster which is powered by the motive power source, and a method of cleaning the dusting head or duster when at least a part of the dusting head or duster is not in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Those features that have been disclosed such as a pivoting handle particular type of shafting i.e. hex etc, should not be viewed as limiting, on the contrary they are the opposite. Any described features can optionally be incorporated into each of the individual embodiments. Additionally, individual features of separate embodiments can be re-combined in various ways. Referring to Figure 1 , one embodiment of an articulated drive unit and handle for the present invention can be seen. In this embodiment the tool has some features in common with a cordless screwdriver. The main unit has a first body 1 and a second body 2, which are articulated so the assembly can be straight, as in Figure 1, or angled, as in Figure 2. It is common to combine these two sections into a single unit, which can be desirable for some embodiments, however in this preferred embodiment, these two bodies 1 and 2, are rotatable relative to each other. The central portion of body 1 generally defines a handgrip area. A release button 5 can be used to release and lock the bodies 1 and 2 relative to each other. In one embodiment bodies 1 and 2 can be locked at more than two angles relative to each other, varying from zero degrees (as in Figure 1 to about 90 degrees (as in Figure 2) or more. The release button 5, also generally indicates the pivot axis of rotation of body 1 and 2 relative to each other. Again referring to Figure 1, the bodies 1 and 2, or either of them, can house batteries in a battery compartment (or the unit could be in electrical communication with a separate power source) to drive a motor and a drive train, which can power the rotatable shaft 3. In one embodiment, batteries can be mounted in a compartment within the body 1 and the motor and drive train can be within the body 2, so only electricity needs to be transmitted from the battery compartment in the body 1 to the motor in the body 2, and weight is relatively evenly distributed along the combined length of the bodies 1 and 2. Other arrangements, such as mounting the motor in the body 1 and transmitting mechanical power through the articulation joint to the body 2, are also contemplated. The switch 4 can be used to control the current to the motor from the batteries. For example, a three-position, double throw switch 4 can be provided to allow the user to select the polarity of the current delivered to the motor, or cut off the current, by manipulating the switch. Reversing the polarity of the motor can allow reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft 3, depending on the nature of the motor and the source of power employed. This is useful in many applications ranging from using a cleaning element that has a directional bias (so it removes dust from a surface when rotated in one direction, and deposits dust from the duster to a collection device when rotated in the other direction), to increasing the access of a cleaning element into confined areas (for example, the user can want to control and thus change the direction of rotation in order to wipe/duster dirt-debris out of an area/crevice/crack rather than push it into the area/crevice/crack), or to allow for holding the duster in the left or right hand during use. The unit can also include a clutch for selectively locking shaft 3 from the motor and its associated gearing. This is useful if one wants to use the duster with the dusting head in a fixed position, without transmitting forces from the dusting head back to the motor. Such a clutch could be selectively activated by the user, or could be a more automatic clutch arrangement. One such type of automatic clutch under consideration for this application is a sprag clutch. The shaft 3 can have several interfaces for selectively attaching tools. As previously mentioned, in one embodiment, a hex shaft or other shaft, optionally non-round or partially round, such as illustrated by 6 is contemplated for the end-effectors and so a socket of mating shape (as shown in Figure 1) can be provided in or connected to the shaft 3. This socket can be provided with a setscrew, a frictional engagement with the hex shaft, threading, or any other retention device for securely holding the hex shafts or other arrangements of the end effectors. A magnet can be present within the hole of shaft 3 for securing ferrous shafting. Alternatively, or additionally, various types of securing devices can be provided in association with the shaft 3 for engagement with a locking recess of an end effector. As mentioned several methods possible for achieving this lockability are known in other industries. One such method is to use a frictional member, such as a spring wire, which is disposed within the socket of the shaft 3. This results in a relatively low locking force, but is sufficient for some applications. Another such method is to have a ball bearing or other such feature disposed within the socket of the shaft 3. This ball or feature is often spring loaded to actively engage a locking recess in the shaft 6. Other times this ball or feature can be actively retracted or engaged by the user to actively engage a locking recess, by the user sliding a collar, or other such activation device. Another useful engagement is to provide a chuck on the shaft 3 or the drive shaft 6 with jaws or other expedients that can be opened or closed to release or grip a shaft. In any case, it is anticipated that it can be desirable to offer some means to lock the end effector onto the rotatable shaft 3 in a more positive way than friction alone can provide. It is also common practice to use a !/. hex shank interface for power-screw drivers making them able to accommodate several types and styles of tool shafts. This feature can be adapted to the present invention by accommodating several types of dusting heads for different substrates or for more vigorous or gentler dusting. Referring to Figure 3, another embodiment of the present invention can be appreciated. Item 11 is a duster that can be composed of fairly flexible or even relatively limp fibers like one would find incorporated into a duster. Such dusters are commonly made from feathers, lambs wool, camel's hair, strands of light fabric, or relatively soft resin fibers. It has also been found that the fibers can be made from threads, woven or not, that for sake of illustration are substantially similar to the fringe on an area rug. Such fibers can be made from a variety of materials from cotton to nylon. However, it has been found that synthetics such as nylon or animal fibers such as lamb's wool or camel's hair can have greater static- electricity-charging capabilities. Dusters commonly function as follows, although the invention is not limited to this mode of operation. A substantial portion of the lengths of the relatively flexible fibers come into contact with a surface to be cleaned in some embodiments, thus presenting a long surface that contacts and adheres to the dust or debris. Contrast this action with the action of brush rolls on a vacuum cleaner, or a household broom. In these situations commonly the ends of relatively stiff bristles serve to flick or brush the debris directionally. And so the sides of the fibers might have no functionality except to geometrically connect the ends of the brush elements to the rest of the device, and to flex only enough for the flicking action and to compensate for surface interference. So the fibers or other elements contemplated for dusting can be relatively flexible so that extremely little force is required to cause their lengths to flatten against the surface to be cleaned, as opposed to the types of bristles used in traditional brush -rolls and the like. Another related distinction between traditional brush rolls on a vacuum cleaner, and some embodiments of the disclosed duster, is regarding the length of the cleaning elements. The effective length of the bristles used in duster rolls is generally V_ inch (13 mm) or less, whereas some embodiments of the disclosed duster have fibers greater than ³Λ inch (18mm), optionally greater than 1 inch (25 mm), optionally greater than 1 ^lA inches (38 mm). Again this goes to flexibility, so that the sides of the fibers commonly are used for cleaning. And this flexibility is also required to conform to irregular surfaces of objects being dusted (such as picture frames, piano keys, glassware and the like) without moving or injuring the objects. Again, referring to Figure 3, item 7 is a dust conduit, here eccentrically mounted with respect to the duster 11, which has air inlets 8 and an air outlet 9 that is intended to be connected in fluid communication with a vacuum air pump. Such a vacuum air pump could either be an integral part of the invention, or a separate source of vacuum (such as the hose of a hose-type vacuum cleaner or attachment), which can be in fluid communication with the invention. The area forward of the air outlet 9, toward the duster 11 , can generally define a handgrip area in one embodiment. Item 10 is a shield that optionally can also have air inlets analogous to 8 (not shown) and an outlet analogous to 9 (not shown) associated with it. The operation of the device is as follows. The duster 11 is mounted to the rotatable shaft 3 as described above. The duster 11 can optionally be configured so that its axis of rotation can be disposed generally in-line with the handle 1 of the powering unit, or optionally at a variety of angles, as explained in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The vacuum conduit 7 can be in close proximity to the duster 11 so that dust and debris can be removed from duster 11 by a vacuum air pump, or the vacuum conduit can be in active frictional engagement with the fibers of duster 11 so that the vacuum conduit 7 acts as a comb or shear to loosen the dust and debris from the duster 11 so that the vacuum air pump can then completely remove the dust and debris from the area. Active frictional engagement can also reduce the amount of vacuum necessary to remove the debris from the fibers. Centrifugal force, caused by the spinning action of the duster, can also aid in bringing the fibers or pick-up elements of the duster into the air flow region of the device, or into the active frictional engagement that has already been described. The movement of the duster can be continuous while cleaning or intermittent, with the user only pulsing the unit on for intermittent cleaning of the duster. The speed of rotation is not critical, and the movement of the duster can be quite slow, however, it has been found that the user feels it is working best when it is moving at least 20 rpm, so that is a suitable rotation speed. It should also be appreciated that if the duster moves too quickly, the flailing of the fibers can fan dust away before it has been picked up. This generally seems to occur at speeds greater than 250 rpm. In one embodiment, therefore, the rotation rate can vary between 20 and 250 RPM, alternatively between 50 and 200 RPM, alternatively between 75 and 150 RPM. Switch 4 can be reversible, as has been previously described, to further aid in the versatility of the units cleaning ability. Additionally, the duster 11 can have a static charge imparted on it throughout the process via frictional or electrically driven means. Inventor Caruso has previously disclosed this technology in U.S. application 09/963,954. The vacuum inlet orifice/orifices 8 can take many forms. One such alternate form is as a continuous slot 8 on the underside of 7, as illustrated in Figure 7. 10 is a shield that can be used in conjunction with 7, or instead of the air conduit 7, as by combining the two into a single part (as in Figure 5). The shield 10 thus can function simply as a shield or alternatively as the air conduit (instead of 7) or as an additional air conduit in addition to air conduit 7. Obviously, if the shield 10 is to function as an air conduit, it would have appropriate inlet/outlet means associated with it. The shield 10 can also act as a shear or combing element or a beater bar for the duster 11 to strike or rub against rotationally, thus knocking off debris and dust and potentially imparting a static charge. Figure 4 is similar to the device depicted in Figure 3, with some minor differences. Body 1 , which forms the conduit 7, also creates or forms the handle or hand grip for the user. The air that enters the holes or orifice 8, not shown, travels through conduit 7 and outlet 9. Outlet 9 can be formed as a tapered female connection that is a standard in the industry. Such connections are generally about 1.25 inches in diameter with a slight taper of 1-1.5 degrees, so that the end cuff or junction of a vacuum hose can be coupled to the outlet 9 or various other end-effectors. Optionally, outlet 9 can have an integral hose or other continuing conduit connected. And as before, body elements 18 or 14 could house batteries. Another feature that can be seen in Figure 4 is a light source 19. Such a light source could be a conventional incandescent, halogen, or light emitting diode lamp. The light source could be activated by switch 4, or by a separate switch, which is not shown. The light source could be illuminated continuously, while the unit is on, illuminating the area to be cleaned, or it can intermittently flash like a strobe, giving the user an added sense of cleaning efficacy. Figure 5 is a side view of a device that is substantially the same as the device of Figure 4. Here it can be seen that it can be advantageous to curve the conduit 7 to closely follow the shape of the duster 11. The conduit 7 also serves as a shield. In one embodiment, the conduit 7 can wrap further circumferentially around the duster 11 than is illustrated here, providing at least a portion of the duster 11, optionally a portion diametrically opposed to the conduit 7, extends beyond other structure so it can contact a surface to be dusted. An extension of the conduit 7 could also be provided with a bearing (not shown) to support the second end of the drive shaft 6 (the end opposite to the driven end received in the rotatable shaft 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2). Figure 6 is a flipped section of conduit 7 of Figure 4 , located generally between X-X in Figure 4. The section has been flipped for clarity. In this view the face 12, which faces the duster, can be seen. This face 12 can be made as part of the conduit 7, or as depicted for clarity, as a separate piece. Apertures, or holes 8, can be seen as tapering in density, becoming more densely distributed moving away from the outlet 9. The asymmetric distribution of apertures 8 provides a more even distribution of airflow, making the vacuum more uniform along the axis of the duster . Fluid dynamics makes it so that the flow of air will always seek the shortest path, or that of least resistance. So, by making the shortest path higher in resistance, flow is evened out throughout the length of the conduit in its perforated area. Referring to Figure 7 , another configuration of the face 12 can be seen. In this configuration, a single variable- width slot 8 replaces the variable density holes of Figure 6. This orifice could optionally include more than one slot and still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Another way of providing a more uniform vacuum along the length of the duster is also illustrated here. Through internal baffling 13, the interior of conduit 7 is the narrowest in the perforated area closest to air outlet 9. Similarly, it is possible to taper the entire conduit 7, as it transitions from one end to the perforated area closer to air outlet 9. Referring now to Figure 8 , another embodiment can be seen. Many of the features are shared with previous embodiments. Of note, are the swivel construction, and the integration with a turbine unit to rotate the duster 11. Swivel caps 16 are part of or attached to tubular body 18. Center swivel 17 is part of or attached to conduit 7 and reduction drive unit 14. The tubular body 18 can swivel to various angles relative to the center swivel 17, as explained above in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The air conduit 7, gear reduction drive 14, and duster 11. An air turbine is located within center swivel 17, and is coupled to drive the input of the reduction drive unit 14. A sliding airflow junction (not shown) makes it so that airflow is maintained throughout the conduit from 7, through 18, regardless of their relative angular orientation. Obviously, the swivel caps 16 could have been constructed as part of conduit 7, in which case, center swivel would have been part of tubular body 18. 15 is a bleeder air valve for controlling the unit by diverting air from the turbine and opening(s) 8 when it is uncovered. The valve 15 can be, for example, a simple hole that the user can cover with a thumb or finger to activate rotation of the duster 11 by directing the flow of air from the opening(s) 8 in the conduit 7 through the air turbine. When the valve 15 is uncovered, air drawn by suction produced at the outlet 9 is allowed to bypass the turbine, causing the duster not to rotate even though the vacuum source can still be on. Such a valve 15 could be constructed in many ways other than a simple hole. A poppet valve or other construction could yield a cleaner approach. Another approach, which is contemplated, is to incorporate a brake that would effectively lock the turbine or some part of the reduction drive, thus stopping the duster from spinning. In this embodiment, air might still be drawn through the opening(s) 8 while the duster was braked. Yet another contemplated approach is to de-couple the drive from the duster. This could be accomplished at any point along the drive train system, from decoupling the turbine, decoupling a transfer and or reduction belt(s), decoupling a transfer and/or reduction gear(s), or decoupling the final shaft 3. Another expedient that can be provided is a switch or shifter, not shown, to control the final rotation of shaft 3, making it reversible, as is also contemplated as an option for the previously described electrically based embodiments. In one embodiment, the user would be able to control the direction of rotation of the shaft 3. This could be accomplished, for example, by coupling such a switch to a reversing gear(s)/belt(s) arrangement within the drive train. It is contemplated that such a reversing scenario can occur close to the final output, so the rotation of the moving parts in question is slower, reducing the amount of "gear-gnash" when changing or engaging the drive. This switch could also have a neutral position, thus accomplishing the decoupling already described for de-powering the duster even if airflow is still present. Again, all previously described embodiments can be powered through conventional means such as a motor and associated gearing and/or belt drives. The motor can be electrical, hand powered, a mechanical wind-up spring driven motor, or an air- turbine motor powered by an on board or separate, external air movement device such as a vacuum fan. And so a variety of novel tools, end effectors and interfaces between the two have been disclosed.

Claims

I claim:

1. A hand held device for dusting surfaces, the device comprising: A. an axially elongated housing having a first end, a second end, and a center section; B. a drive associated with said housing; C. a generally cylindrical rotating duster having a first end, an axially spaced second end, and an axis of rotation, at least one of its first end and its second end being coupled to said drive; D. a conduit extending from said first end of said housing to said second end of said duster , wherein said conduit has an inlet and an outlet; said device weighing less than five pounds.

2. The device of claim 1, where said first end is coupled to said drive.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said center section of said housing defines a handgrip.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said handgrip further includes a drive control.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said drive is an air turbine motor.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said drive is an electric motor.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a reduction drive arrangement, actively coupling said drive motor to said duster .

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said inlet is disposed generally in a collinear relationship with said duster .

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said inlet is configured to have a tapered air flow pattern.

10. The device of claiml further including a battery compartment.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said duster comprises highly flexible nylon fibers.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said duster comprises feathers.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said duster comprises lambs wool.

14. A hand held device for cleaning surfaces, the device comprising: A. a housing, having a first end, a second end, and a center section; B. a drive associated with said housing; C. a duster; D. a conduit extending from said first end of said housing to said second end of said duster, wherein said conduit has an inlet and an outlet, wherein said inlet is disposed generally in line with said duster ; E. a reduction drive arrangement, reductively coupling said drive motor to said duster .

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said inlet is configured to have a tapered air flow pattern.

16. A hand held device for cleaning the dust from surfaces, the device comprising: A. a housing; B. a motive drive associated with said housing; C. a duster coupled to said motive drive; D. a generally planar surface extending from said housing and in frictional contact with said duster; E. a vacuum port in said generally planar surface; and F. a reduction drive arrangement, whereby said drive motor is reductively coupled to said duster .