Abstract:
A lint removal device with a hollow handle, a tool head with head gears, brushes, rotation motor and gears, with the brushes in rotational mechanical communication with said tool head gears. The brushes work to remove lint from the lint compartment of a dryer in order to maintain the dryer in proper working order. If lint is not removed from most dryers, clothing placed in the dryer may not fully dry or the dryer might overheat and cause a fire. The present invention is designed to overcome these and other problems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 62/136,686 filed Mar. 23, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention, and inventive system, is a new and novel invention that works to remove lint from the lint compartment of a dryer, or other machine that generates particulates, in order to maintain the dryer in proper working order. Lint can build up on the walls of the compartment or even float down into the bottom of the compartment. Should the lint catcher fail to retrieve most of the particles and if lint is not removed from most dryers, clothing placed in the dryer may not fully dry, the motor wear down, or the dryer might overheat and cause a fire, It can be costly to replace or repair a system. The present invention is designed to overcome these problems. 
         [0004]    Many prior art pieces address cleaning lint traps, but none of the prior art provides a portable lint cleaning apparatus that utilizes a handle, motor, rotating brushes and compactness as found in the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In several embodiments of the present invention, the present invention operates under several parameters. 
         [0006]    In several embodiments, the present invention is a motorized lint brush that can remove lint from a dryer or other machine. In several embodiment the motorized lint brush is comprised of an elongated handle having a first and second end. In several embodiments of the present invention the first end includes one or more controls which can include a power switch, speed setting and other controls for the invention for modifying the rotation of brushes that are also part of the invention. 
         [0007]    In several embodiments of the present invention the motorized lint brush is comprised of a second end which is substantially an elongated hollow handle with a tool head. In several embodiments of the present invention the tool head is adapted to include one, or more, brushes that can rotate when the lint brush is in operation. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes are arranged along substantially a common axis. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes are arranged along an axis substantially perpendicular to the hollow elongated handle. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes and elongated handle form substantially a “T” shape. In several embodiments of the present invention, the lint removal device can be used for a dryer, or other mechanical device that has a lint trap. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the present invention the elongated handle encloses a motor, a power source, and gearing needed to actuate the brushed to rotate when the device is in use. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes can rotate in the same direction as each other when the device is in operation. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes can rotate in the opposite direction as each other when the device is in operation. In some embodiments of the present invention the brushes can be comprised of a variety of bristles designed to collect and hold lint or other small matter. In some embodiments of the present invention the bristles can be of variant sizes, shapes and arrangements on the brush as to vary the lint catching surfaces of the brushes. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments of the present invention when in operation, a user can insert the tool head of the present invention in the lint compartment of a dryer, although the tool head could also be inserted into other enclosures that are subject to obtaining lint or other unwanted solids. During operation, in some embodiments of the present invention, the rotating brushes that are attached to the tool head will rotate therein causing lint, or other particulate matter to become attached to the bristles of the brushes. A user can then remove the tool head from the lint enclosure and clean the lint off of the brushes in a manner known in the art for cleaning brushes. The tool head can then be reinserted in the lint enclosures and the brushes re-rotated as need to ensure that the tool head cleans the lint enclosure to the satisfactions of the user. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments of the present invention comprises: a lint removal device comprising; a hollow elongated member with a first and second end; a hollow handle in mechanical attachment to said first end of said elongated member; a tool head with head gears in mechanical attachment to said second end of said elongated member; brushes; rotation motor and gears; wherein said brushes are in rotational mechanical communication with said tool head gears; said rotation motor and gears are enclosed in said elongated member and in rotational and mechanical communication with said tool head; said hollow handle further comprising; a power source in electronic communication with a control mechanism; said control mechanism located with a user interface substantially on the exterior of said hollow handle; said control mechanism and said power source in electric an mechanical communication with said motor and gears; wherein initiation of said power source can cause activation of said motor and said gears causing said gears to rotate; said gears rotating causes said head gears to rotate therein causing said brushes to rotate. In some embodiments of the present invention the lint removal device further comprises a motor speed variation control; wherein said motor speed variation control is attached to said handle and in electronic communication with said motor. In some embodiments of the present invention the lint removal device further comprises a lower brush head attachment; wherein said lower brush head attachment is in mechanical communication with said tool head and will rotate when said gears are rotated. In some embodiments of the present invention the lint removal device further comprises said brushes rotate in contrary directions to each other about a central axis. In some embodiments of the present invention the lint removal device further comprises said brushes rotate in the same directions to each other about a central axis. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is a method for using a lint removal device comprising the steps of; obtaining a lint removal device comprising; a hollow elongated member with a first and second end; a hollow handle in mechanical attachment to said first end of said elongated member; a tool head with gears in mechanical attachment to said second end of said elongated member; brushes; rotation motor and gears; wherein said brushes are in rotational mechanical communication with said tool head gears; said rotation motor and gears are enclosed in said elongated member and in rotational and mechanical communication with said tool head; said hollow handle further comprising; a power source in electronic communication with a control mechanism; said control mechanism located with a user interface substantially on the exterior of said hollow handle; said control mechanism and said power source in electric and mechanical communication with said motor and gears; wherein initiating said power source can cause activation of said motor and said gears causing said gears to rotate; said gears rotating causes said head gears to rotate therein causing said brushes to rotate. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method has the additional steps of; obtaining a motor speed variation control; wherein attaching said motor speed variation control is attached to said handle and in electronic communication with said motor. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method has the additional steps of; obtaining a lower brush head attachment; wherein attaching said lower brush head in mechanical communication with said tool head and will rotate when said gears are rotated. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method has the additional steps of; rotating said brushes in contrary directions to each other about a central axis. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method has the additional steps of; rotating said brushes in the same directions to each other about a central axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describing specific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in assembled view with optional lower brushes. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in partially exploded view with optional lower brushes. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the tool head of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention exterior to a dryer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention being inserted into a dryer lint trap. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  illustrates one embodiment of an interior view of a potential gear arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  illustrates one potential embodiment of a drive shaft arrangement for the interior of the tool head of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6C  illustrates one potential embodiment of the drive casing located interior to the tool head of one embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 6D  illustrates one embodiment of the tool head with hidden lines to allow viewing of the interior of the drive mechanisms. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention with hidden lines allowing for viewing of the gear mechanisms of the optional lower brush head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    In the following description, certain details are set forth such as specific quantities, sizes, etc. . . . so as to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such specific details. In many cases, details concerning such considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. 
         [0024]    Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting thereto. Drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
         [0025]    One, or more, illustrative embodiments incorporating the invention disclosed herein are presented below. Applicants have created a revolutionary lint spin brush and method for use of the same. 
         [0026]    While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable to those of ordinary skill in the art, it should be understood, however, that when not explicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting a meaning presently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art. In cases where the construction of a term would render it meaningless or essentially meaningless, the definition should be taken from Webster&#39;s Dictionary, 11th Edition, 2008. Definitions and/or interpretations should not be incorporated from other patent applications, patents, or publications, related or not, unless specifically stated in this specification or if the incorporation is necessary for maintaining validity. 
         [0027]    Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without materially departing from the novel and advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to be understood that the sc of the invention is not to be limited thereby. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in assembled view. As shown lint brush  1  is in assembled form. In several preferred embodiments, lint brush  1  is comprised of and upper portion  13  and a lower portion  14 . Upper portion  13  is preferably comprised of a handle  10 . In several embodiments handle  10  is preferably hollow and contains a motor  1000  ( FIG. 2 ) along with a motor activation switch  12 . In several embodiments of the present invention handle  10  may be comprised of plastic, resin, or other materials known in the art for handles. In several embodiments of the present invention handle  10  can be of varying geometric shapes. 
         [0029]    In several embodiments of the present invention, motor  1000  and motor activation switch  12  are of the kinds usually found in the industry for rotating brush motors for medium sized applications such as shoe shinning rotation motors. In several embodiment of the present invention motor  1000  is located inside of the handle  10  and is in electronic communication with motor activation switch  12  in such a manner as that when motor activation switch is moved from an “on” to “off” position motor  1000  will initiate and start rotation. In some embodiments of the present invention regulator  17  can be attached exterior to handle  10  and being both mechanical and electric communication with motor  1000  so as to allow the regulation of motor rotation as is known in the art. In several embodiments of the present invention, motor  1000 , activation switch  12 , and batteries  14  ( FIG. 2 ) can be located in tool head  30 , elongated member  20 , or handle  10 . 
         [0030]    Also illustrated is the hollow elongated member  20 , As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-D , elongated member  20  is hollow and contains a drive shaft  230 . Drive shaft  230  is in mechanical communication with motor  1000  as in known in the art through male member attachment  237 . At the lower portion  14  of hollow elongated member  20  is the tool head  30 . As illustrated in several embodiments of the present invention tool head  30  is comprised of three hollow shafts  32 ,  34  ( FIG. 2 ). Elongated member  20  may be comprised of plastic, solid resin, metal or other materials known in the art hollow member. Hollow member  20  may be of variant shape or length as known in the industry. Tool head  30  may be comprised of metal, plastic, or other materials known hi the art and may be of variant shapes and geometric configurations. In several embodiments of the present invention, activation switch  12  and motor  1000  can be located in elongated member  20 . 
         [0031]    In several embodiments of the present invention and attached to tool head  30  are the brush heads  40 . Brush heads  40  attach to tool head  30  in various embodiments via male mating member  45 . Brush heads  40  are secured to male member  45  by cap  43  located distal to tool head  30 . In several embodiments cap  30  can threadably attached the interior of male member  45  as is known the art for securing brush heads. In several embodiments of the present invention, brush head  40  are designed to rotate when lint brush  1  is in operation and motor  1000  in activated.  FIG. 1  also shows optional rotation brush head  50 . Brush head  50  is an optional attachment on lint brush  1  and is, in some embodiments, attached to tool  30  in mechanical communication via drive shaft  234  ( FIG. 7 ) 
         [0032]    When in operation ( FIGS. 1-7 ) a user can turn switch  12  from “off” to “on” which will electronically engage motor  1000  to activate and rotate drive shaft  230  via male engaging member  237 . Drive shaft  230  which is in mechanical communication with gear  302  will cause gear  302  to rotate in the same direction as shaft  230 . Gear  302  will cause rotation of  303  and counter rotation of gear  301 . Gears  301  and  303  are in mechanical communication with drive shafts  232  causing them to rotation in contrary motion to each other. Drive shafts  232  directly mechanically interact and attach to brush head mating member  45 , hence causing brushes  40  to rotate. In order to stop the rotation of brush heads  40 , the activation switch  12  is merely turned off. In some embodiments of the present invention it is envisioned the differed gear arrangements  300  can be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments of the present invention it is also envisioned that regulator  17  can be utilized to regulate the speed of motor  1000  as is known in the 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partially exploded view of one embodiment of lint brush  1 . As illustrated handle  10  contains batteries  14  and cap  15 . Batteries  14  are inserted into handle  10  as are known in the art for powering a motor. Batteries  14  can be of a rechargeable or disposable variety. Cap  15  is preferably designed to encapsulate batteries  14  into handle  10  to prevent them from falling out during use of lint brush  1  as is known in the art. Further illustrated in  FIG. 2  is motor  1000 . Motor  1000  is preferably constructed with sufficient torque and power to enable the rotation of brushes  40  when the lint bush  1  is in operation as a minimum empowerment threshold. Motor  1000  is preferably in electronic communication with switch  12  such that switch  12  can activate motor  1000  as is known in the art for turning on and off a motor. Motor  1000  is preferably in mechanical communication with drive shaft  230  via male engagement member  237  as is known in the art. Motor  1000  is demonstrative of one mode of motor communication for rotation of brushes  40 , other motorized implementation methods as known in the art can be utilized. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  also illustrates hollow tool shafts  32  and  34 . In several embodiments of the present invention shafts  32  can accept the male mating member  45  located on the junction side of brush  40 . Member  45  and shaft  32  are preferably designed to be constructed such that shaft  30  houses drive shaft  232  such that member  45  and drive shaft  232  can mechanically mate and releasably attach to one another. Also illustrated is rotational brush head  50 . Rotational brush head  50  is optional in some embodiments and is preferably constructed with two rotating brush heads  57  and  58 . During operation heads  57  and  58  can rotate (See  FIG. 7 ). Bristles  42  on brushes  40  may be constructed of variant length in some embodiments. In some embodiments bristles  42  are preferably comprised of plastic, metal or other materials commonly utilized in the art as rotating brush bristle materials. Head  50  may be attached to shaft  34  through mating male member  55  located distal to heads  57  and  58 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of the tool head  30 . As illustrated brushes  40  are attached to tool head  30  by the mating of male member  45  and shaft  32  in a manner designed to ensure releasable mechanical communication. Also illustrated are end caps  43  which maintain brush  40  on drive shaft  232 . When end caps  43  are removed brushes  40  can be removed for brush  40  cleaning. Also shown is head  50  which is attached tool head  30  through shaft  34  via mating member  55  in releasable mechanical attachment with shaft  34 . See also  FIG. 7 . As shown, in some embodiments when in operation heads  57  and  58  rotate in the same direction. See also  FIG. 7 . As shown, in some embodiments brushes  40  can rotate in opposite directions when the lint brush  1  is in operation. It is envisioned that it is known in the art to rearrange gears  300  to allow for rotation in the same direction as in known in the art see ( FIG. 6A ). 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates the lint brush  1  as it is about to be inserted into a standard dryer  100 . As shown standard dryer  100  has a top lint trap  150 . Present invention  1  can be utilized with any lint trap  150  on any dryer though. The standard dryer  100  need not be a dryer and can actually be any device that generates particulates that are trapped in a filter or lint trap  150 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the lint brush  1  as it is inserted into a stand dryer  100 . During operation brushes  40  (and optionally  58  and  58 ) rotate therein causing the bristles  42  to contact and remove particulates for a lint trap  150 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6A  illustrates one example of the gears  300  found inside the tool head  30 . As illustrated, when empowered by motor  1000  as s commonly known in the art, gear  302  will engage gears  301  and  303  causing them to counter-rotate. Gears  300  are preferably of a size and construction known in the art for gears utilized in a gear box  130  capable of fitting in the tool head  30 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the drive shaft  230  which, in some embodiments of the present invention, is located in the hollow interior of elongated shaft  20 . Drive shaft  230 , in some embodiments is in direct mechanical communication with motor  1000  such that when motor  1000  is initiated, drive shaft  230  rotates causing the rotation of gear  302  and therein gears  301  and  303 . As shown drive shaft  230  is in direct mechanical communication with gear  302 . Also shown, is optional drive shaft  234  is in mechanical communication with the lower portion of gear  302  which is also in attachment with drive shaft  230 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6C  illustrates the casing  120  of drive shaft  230  as it connects to gear box  130  and casings  132  and lower casing  134 . Casings  120 ,  134  and  132  are hollow and form substantially the exterior non-rotating surface of tool head  30 .  FIG. 6D  illustrates an assembled view in cut away of the lower tool head  30  with the interior casings of the drive shafts. As shown, drive shaft  230  in internal to casing  120 . Drive shafts  232  are interior to casings  132 . Gear box  130 , which houses gears  300  in a manner known in the art is also encased in the tool head  30 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cut away view of the optional brush head  50 . As shown, drive shaft  234  is attached to gear  350 . Gear  350  is in mechanical communication with gear  360 . Gear  360  is also in communication with gear  370 . When in operation, gear  350  rotates inapposite to gear  360  and gear  370  rotates inapposite to gear  360 . Brush heads  57  and  58  can attach to gears  360  and  370  via snap in orifices  361  as are known in the art. 
         [0041]    Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without materially departing from the novel and advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.