WO2013116584A1

WO2013116584A1 - A cleaning tool with a hidden push button

Info

Publication number: WO2013116584A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/024252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qian Zheng Zhou; Liang Cheng; Feng ZENG
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2012-02-01
Filing date: 2013-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-08
Also published as: CN202537376U

Abstract

A cleaning tool is disclosed with a hidden push button suitable for mounting a replaceable cleaning article. The cleaning tool comprises a handle having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface, the handle comprising a hand gripping part and an extension part extending from the hand gripping part, and an engagement apparatus provided at the handle and adapted to engage a replaceable cleaning article. The engagement apparatus comprises an engagement mechanism adapted to engage the replaceable cleaning article, a push button, and a push bar connected to the engagement mechanism and the push button. The push button can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism transits between an engaged status in which a cleaning article is engaged and a non-engaged status in which the cleaning article is released. The hand gripping part has an elongated structure suitable for a user's grip. The push button is disposed in a region of the extension part near the hand gripping part and is located on the back surface of the handle.

Description

A CLEANING TOOL WITH A HIDDEN PUSH BUTTON

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of household appliance, and in particular, to a cleaning tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning of toilet stool is always considered as a kind of troublesome and strenuous work. After cleaning the stool, cleaning a traditional stool brush is also wearisome. To solve this problem, there exists a disposable stool brush in the market. After the cleaning, by activating a push button provided at the handle of the stool brush, the used brush head is ejected from the handle for replacement. In this way, the user does not need to clean the stool brush head.

In the design of the above-mentioned disposable stool brush, a handle, a rod and a connection head are included. The disposable stool brush head is mounted onto the connection head by activating the button (for example, a push button) at the handle, ejection and/or replacement of the brush head is readily achieved. In order for facilitating the ejection and/or replacement of the stool brush head through the push button, the push button may be provided at the handle, usually at the front surface of the handle. As such, after the cleaning, by activating the push button provided at the front surface of the handle with the user's thumb, the used brush head is ejected and replaced. However, in practice, since the disposable stool brush is frequently moved during the cleaning, often the push button may be accidentally activated. In this situation, the brush head may be accidentally ejected even during the cleaning. In addition, this kind of disposable stool brush usually adopts a compact handle, so that the hand gripping region for the user is relatively small, which further increases the possibility of accidentally activating the push button. Also, such a compact handle design does not conform to the principle of ergonomics.

At present, some improved designs of the disposable stool brush are presented. For example, Chinese Patent No. 200780048058.1 discloses a cleaning tool handle for use with a disposable stool brush. The cleaning tool comprises a handle, which in turn comprises a first handle member pivottably connected to a second handle member. Clamping plates are provided at the ends of both handle members. When the two handle members close up to each other, the clamping plates also close up to each other, and when the two handle members move away from each one, the clamping plates also move away from each other. The handle may include a locking member which engages the first handle member with the second handle member so as to clamp or maintain a cleaning pad between the clamping plates. However, in the above-disclosed technical solution, the push button is also provided at the front surface of the handle. Thus, it will inevitably cause the inadvertent activation of the push button. Further, in this cleaning tool, since the connection head is connected with the cleaning pad by clamping the latter between two torsional spring-driven clamping plates, the clamping performance may be affected due to deterioration of the torsional spring's resilience after a long-time use.

Moreover, US 7,316,046 discloses a disposable stool brush. The configuration of this brush is similar to the configuration of the above-mentioned disposable stool brush, except that its connection head is connected with the cleaning pad by a jaw structure. However, in this disposable stool brush, the push button is also provided at the front surface of the handle, which will inevitably cause the inadvertent activation of the push button. In addition, the jaw structure is relatively complicated and has certain requirements on the dimension of the cleaning pad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed cleaning tool provides a cleaning device with a hidden push button, which is simple for use and can effectively prevent misoperation and can effectively achieve clamping and replacement of the cleaning article (such as a stool brush head).

In one embodiment, a cleaning tool with a hidden push button and adapted to mount a replaceable cleaning article, the cleaning tool comprises:

a handle having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface, the handle comprising a hand gripping part and an extension part extending from the hand gripping part; and

an engagement apparatus provided at the handle and adapted to engage a replaceable cleaning article, the engagement apparatus comprising:

an engagement mechanism adapted to engage the replaceable cleaning article, a push button, and

a push bar connected to the engagement mechanism and the push button,

wherein the push button can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism transitions between an engaged status in which the cleaning article is engaged and a non-engaged status in which the cleaning article is released, and the cleaning tool is characterized in that the push button is provided in a region of the extension part near the hand gripping part and is located on the back surface of the handle.

In one embodiment, the hand gripping part has an elongated structure suitable for gripping.

In one embodiment, the top surface of the push button is level with or slightly extruded from the back surface of the handle.

In one embodiment, the engagement mechanism comprises a first engagement member extending from the end of the extension part, and a second engagement member respectively pivottably connected to the push bar and the first engagement member.

In one embodiment, a first tooth structure is formed on the first engagement member and/or a second tooth structure is formed on the second engagement member. Also, a first trench corresponding to the first tooth structure is formed in the second engagement member and/or a second trench corresponding to the second tooth structure is formed in the first engagement member. When the engagement mechanism is in the engaged status, the first tooth structure of the first engagement member protrudes from the first trench of the second engagement member and/or the second tooth structure of the second engagement member protrudes from the second trench of the first engagement member, to form an engaged structure. When the engagement mechanism is actuated into a non-engaged status, the first tooth structure of the first engagement member retracts from the first trench of the second engagement member and/or the second tooth structure of the second engagement member retracts from the second trench of the first engagement member, to form a non- engaged structure.

In one embodiment, the first tooth structure and/or the second tooth structure comprise at least a tooth. In one embodiment, there is a groove with a downward opening formed in the back surface of the extension part. The push button and the push bar are disposed within the groove, while the engagement mechanism is located outside of the groove.

In one embodiment, the cleaning tool further comprises a hand gripping cover at least partially disposed on the back surface of the hand gripping part.

In one embodiment, the hand gripping part transits smoothly to the extension part.

According to a specific embodiment, the handle gripping part and the extension part are integrally formed.

According to a specific embodiment, in the aforesaid groove, the push button can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism transits between the engaged status and the non-engaged status.

By providing the push button used to operate the engagement mechanism at a back face of the handle that is opposite its front face, the cleaning tool with a hidden push button can effectively present the misoperation of the push button during cleaning. In the meantime, the cleaning tool with a hidden push button adopts a design suitable for the hand gripping of a user, which makes the cleaning tool conform to the requirements of ergonomics. In addition, the cleaning tool can effectively realize the engagement and replacement of the cleaning article (such as a stool brush head). Among other things, the cleaning tool with a hidden push button is particularly suitable for cleaning the flushing toilet. Of course, the cleaning tool can also be used in other situations. Further, the cleaning tool with a hidden push button can also be used in other situations where the operating button needs to be hidden so as to avoid misoperation, in addition to being used for the design of a replaceable stool brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To make the aforesaid and other objects, features and advantages of the invention become more apparent, the present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is another schematic structural view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cleaning tool is in an expanded state;

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cleaning tool is in an engaged state wherein a cleaning article is engaged;

Fig. 4 is another schematic sectional view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cleaning tool is in a non-engaged state wherein a cleaning article is removed;

Fig. 5 is a three dimensional schematic structural view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cleaning tool is mounted with a cleaning article; and

Fig. 6 is another three dimensional schematic structural view of a cleaning tool with a hidden push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cleaning tool is not mounted with a cleaning article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein.

Referring to Fig. 1 , a cleaning tool 100 with a hidden push button is shown, which is suitable for mounting a replaceable cleaning article 200 (see Fig. 3). As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cleaning tool 100 mainly comprises a handle 1 and an engagement apparatus disposed at the handle 1. Specifically, the handle 1 has a front surface la and a back surface lb opposite to the front surface la. Handle 1 comprises a hand gripping part 1 1 and an extension part 12 extending from the hand gripping part 1 1. The engagement apparatus is provided at handle 1 and is adapted to engage a replaceable cleaning article 200 (see Fig. 3). The engagement apparatus comprises an engagement mechanism 1 10 adapted to engage the cleaning article 200 (see Fig. 3), a push button 6, and a push bar 5 connected to the engagement mechanism 1 10 and the push button 6. The push button 6 can be activated to actuate the push bar 5, such that the engagement mechanism 1 10 transits between an engaged status wherein the cleaning article is engaged and a non-engaged status wherein the cleaning article is released. The hand gripping part 1 1 of the handle 1 has an elongated structure suitable for user's grip. Meanwhile, the push button 6 is provided in a region of the extension part 12 of handle 1 near the hand gripping part 11 and is located on the back surface of the handle 1. As such, by providing the push button for operating the engagement mechanism at the back surface of the handle which is opposite to the front surface, misoperation of the push button in cleaning can be effectively prevented. In addition, since the hand gripping part of the handle has an elongated structure which is suitable for a user's grip, the cleaning tool better conforms to the requirements of ergonomics.

According to a specific embodiment, the push button 6 and the push bar 5 are preferably integrally formed. In other embodiments, the push button 6 and the push bar 5 may be connected together by any mechanical means. In the present embodiment, the hand gripping part 1 1 transits smoothly to the extension part 12, and preferably, the hand gripping part 1 1 and the extension part 12 of the handle 1 are integrally formed. However, in other embodiments, the hand gripping part 1 1 and the extension part 12 of the handle 1 may be connected by any mechanical means. Further, the cleaning tool 100 may comprise a hand gripping cover 2. Specifically, referring to Figs. 2-4, the hand gripping cover 2 is at least partially disposed at the back surface lb of the hand gripping part 1 1. Here, the hand gripping cover 2 may adopt a design that complies with ergonomics. As such, by providing the hand gripping cover, a user of the cleaning tool 100 can obtain satisfactory hand gripping experiences. The handle 1 and the engagement apparatus of the cleaning tool may be made from plastic, while the cleaning article 200 can be made from non-woven cloth. Of course, structures likes handle 1 and the engagement apparatus of the cleaning tool may also be made from other suitable materials known in the art. According to a specific embodiment, the push button 6 is designed such that its top surface is level with or slightly protruded from the back surface lb. For example, referring to Fig. 3, the top surface of the push button 6 is substantially level with the back surface lb of the handle 1, and only a portion thereof is slightly protruded from the back surface lb. As such, user's misoperation of the push button in cleaning can be further prevented.

Next, referring to Figs. 1-4, the configuration and operating statuses of the engagement mechanism 1 10 of the engagement apparatus are described in detail. The engagement mechanism 1 10 comprises a first engagement member 3 extending from an end of the extension part 12, and a second engagement member 4 respectively pivottablely connected to the push bar 5 and the first engagement member 3. There is a first tooth structure 31 formed on the first engagement member 3 and/or there is a second tooth structure 41 formed on the second engagement member 4, and there is a first trench 42 corresponding to the first tooth structure 31 formed on the second engagement member 4 and/or there is a second trench 32 corresponding to the second tooth structure 41 formed on the first engagement member 3. That is, a tooth structure 31 and/ or a tooth structure 41 is formed on at least one of the first engagement member 3 and the second engagement member 4. Correspondingly, a first trench 42 and/or a second trench 32 corresponding to the tooth structure 31 and/or the tooth structure 41 is formed on the other of the first engagement member 3 and the second engagement member 4.

According to the specific embodiment as shown in figure 3, when the engagement mechanism 1 10 is in the engaged status, the first tooth structure 31 of the first engagement member 3 protrudes from the first trench 42 of the second engagement member 4 and/or the second tooth structure 41 of the second engagement member 4 protrudes from the second trench 32 of the first engagement member 3, to form an engaged structure. As shown in figure 4, when the engagement mechanism 110 is actuated into a non-engaged status, the first tooth structure 31 of the first engagement member 3 retracts from the first trench 42 of the second engagement member 4 and/or the second tooth structure 41 of the second engagement member 4 retracts from the second trench 32 of the first engagement member 3, such that the first tooth structure 31 and /or the second tooth structure 41 is withdrawn into the withdrawn space 34 defined by the pivoted first and second engagement members 3 and 4, to form a non- engaged structure.

The first tooth structure and/or the second tooth structure 31, 41 comprise at least one tooth. For example, in the present embodiment, the first tooth structure 31 comprises two teeth (see Fig. 3) and the second tooth structure 41 also comprises four teeth (see Fig. 6). Correspondingly, trenches 32 and 42 for accommodating the teeth are formed on the first engagement member 3 and the second engagement member 4.

According to a specific embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a groove 10 with a downward opening is formed within the back surface lb of the extension part 1 1. The push button 6 and the push bar 5 are disposed within the groove 10, while the engagement mechanism 1 10 is located outside of the groove 10. In the meantime, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, in the groove 10, the push button 6 can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism 1 10 transits between the engaged status and the non-engaged status.

As such, by providing an aforesaid engagement mechanism 110, the cleaning tool can effectively realize the engagement and replacement of a cleaning article (such as a stool brush head).

Therefore, for the cleaning tool with a hidden push button, referring to figure 5, a cleaning article

200 (such as a stool brush head) can be mounted onto the engagement mechanism 1 10 of the cleaning tool 100 and fastened by the tooth structures thereon to do the cleaning work. After the cleaning (or when it is necessary to replace the cleaning article 200), referring to Fig. 6, the user only needs to activate the hidden push button located on the back surface of handle 1 to make the tooth structures of the engagement mechanism 1 10 detach from the cleaning article 200, thereby ejecting the cleaning article therefrom, so as to realize the replacement or removal of the cleaning article.

The above embodiments merely illustratively describe the principles and effects of the present disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting. Those of skilled in the art should understand that, without departing the spirit and scope of the present invention, all alterations and modifications to the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention should be set forth by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning tool (100) with a hidden push button and adapted to mount a replaceable cleaning article (200), the cleaning tool (100) comprising:

a handle (1) having a front surface (la) and a back surface (lb) opposite to the front surface (la), the handle comprising a hand gripping part (11) and an extension part (12) extending from the hand gripping part; and

an engagement apparatus provided at the handle and adapted to engage a replaceable cleaning article (200), the engagement apparatus comprising:

an engagement mechanism (110) adapted to engage the replaceable cleaning article (200), a push button (6), and

a push bar (5) connected to the engagement mechanism and the push button,

wherein the push button can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism transitions between an engaged status in which the cleaning article is engaged and a non-engaged status in which the cleaning article is released, and

the cleaning tool (100) is characterized in that:

the push button is provided in a region of the extension part near the hand gripping part and is located on the back surface of the handle.

2. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the hand gripping part has an elongated structure suitable for user's grip.

3. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the top surface of the push button is level with or slightly extruded from the back surface of the handle.

4. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the engagement mechanism comprises: a first engagement member (3) extending from one end of the extension part (12), and a second engagement member (4) respectively pivottably connected to the push bar (5) and the first engagement member (3);

wherein a first tooth structure (31) is formed on the first engagement member (3) and/or a second tooth structure (41) is formed on the second engagement member (4), and a first trench (42) corresponding to the first tooth structure (31) is formed in the second engagement member (4) and/or a second trench (32) corresponding to the second tooth structure (41) is formed in the first engagement member (3);

when the engagement mechanism is in the engaged status, the first tooth structure (31) of the first engagement member (3) protrudes from the first trench (42) of the second engagement member (4) and/or the second tooth structure (41) of the second engagement member (4) protrudes from the second trench

(32) of the first engagement member (3), to form an engaged structure;

when the engagement mechanism is actuated into a non-engaged status, the first tooth structure

(31) of the first engagement member (3) retracts from the first trench (42) of the second engagement member (4) and/or the second tooth structure (41) of the second engagement member (4) retracts from the second trench (32) of the first engagement member (3), such that the first tooth structure and/or the second tooth structure (31, 41) are withdrawn into a withdrawn space (34) defined by the pivoted first and second engagement members (3, 4), to form a non- engaged structure.

5. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 4, characterized in that, the first tooth structure and/or the second tooth structure comprise at least a tooth.

6. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, there is a groove (10) with a downward opening formed in the back surface of the extension part, the push button and the push bar being disposed within the groove, while the engagement mechanism being located outside of the groove.

7. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the cleaning tool further comprises a hand gripping cover (2) at least partially disposed on the back surface of the hand gripping part.

8. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the hand gripping part transits smoothly to the extension part.

9. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the handle gripping part and the extension part are integrally formed.

10. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 1, characterized in that, the handle and the engagement apparatus are preferably made from plastic, whereas the cleaning article is preferably made from non-woven cloth.

11. The cleaning tool (100) of claim 6, characterized in that, in the groove (10), the push button (6) can be activated to actuate the push bar, such that the engagement mechanism transits between the engaged status and the non-engaged status.