Patent ID: 6948780
Filing Date: 2005-09-27
Classification: A46B,A46D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for mounting a helix on a brush, the brush having a core defining a longitudinal brush axis and bristles extending radially from the core, the brush extending along the brush axis from a handle end to a free end, the helix comprising a spiral series of adjacent coils winding about a longitudinal helix axis from an inner end to an outer end, the helix mountable about the core such that the brush axis and helix axis are substantially aligned and such that bristles are interspersed between adjacent ones of the coils, the apparatus comprising: a base; alignment means mounted on the base, the alignment means adapted to receive and position the helix and the brush in axial and longitudinal alignment with the free end of the brush adjacent the inner end of the helix; a rotator mounted above the base and adapted to rotate one of the brush about the brush axis and the helix about the helix axis; a gripper mounted above the base and opposite the rotator, the gripper adapted to grasp the other of the brush and the helix; and means for moving at least one of the brush and the helix toward the other to cause the free end of the brush to contact the inner end of the helix; wherein the rotator rotates one of the brush and the helix relative to the other causing the helix to be threaded onto the brush, and wherein at least one of the rotator and the gripper is adapted to move freely toward the other in response to the helix being threaded onto the brush.