Abstract:
A multi-surface cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes. The body further comprises at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom. The first array is configured for engaging a flat surface and the second array is configured for engaging a woven surface. First and second wheels are guided by a respective annular eccentric race formed by an inset and a boss in the race. The eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races prevent the wheels from engaging a flooring surface when the first array is in contact with the floor and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allow the wheels to engage a flooring surface when the second array is in contact with the floor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/286,756 filed Jan. 25, 2016 entitled MULTI-SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS under Attorney Docket Number SF-025169 US PRO, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THIS DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus having multi-surface capability for cleaning both hard and fabric surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Historically, tile or hard surfaces were cleaned by a dedicated handled push brush. One of such hard surface brushes, particularly for cleaning tile and grout is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,366, which is assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure. The &#39;366 patent is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
         [0004]    A combination handled push brush that operates to clean different types of fabric surfaces is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,162, also assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure. The &#39;162 patent is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present disclosure comprises a multi-surface cleaning apparatus that includes a curvilinear dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes. The body further comprises at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom. The first array is configured for engaging a rigid surface and the second array is configured for engaging a flexible surface. First and second wheels are guided by respective annular eccentric races formed by an inset and a boss in the race. The eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races prevent the wheels from engaging the cleaning surface when the first array is in contact with the cleaning surface and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allow the wheels to engage a cleaning surface when the second array is in contact with the the cleaning surface. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method of providing a multi-surface cleaning apparatus. The method includes providing a cylinder having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes that allows for at least two rows of bristles, a first row on the first lobe and a second row on the second lobe, the rows differing in the lengths of the bristling, the cylinder supporting first and second wheels allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing lengths of bristle with the surface during use. The method further includes providing a selectively attachable handle for attachment to at least two attachment holes located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a brush for hard and soft surfaces. The brush having a cylinder with a multi-cylindrical shape that allows for at least two rows of differing bristling lengths. The cylinder supports first and second wheels allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing patterns with the surface during use, The cylinder further comprises at least two attachment holes located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon consideration of the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals, unless otherwise described refer to like parts throughout the drawings and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a cleaning assembly constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a multi-surface cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a first rear elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  includes a first section view of a dowel wherein a race is shown in phantom along section lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 69  includes a second section view of a dowel taken along section lines  6 B- 6 B in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6C  includes a third section view of a dowel along section lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6D  includes a fourth section view of a dowel along section lines  6 D- 6 D in  FIG. 6B ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a second rear elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a third rear elevation view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a another second rear elevation of  FIG. 2  with discussion relating to the ends of the multi-surface cleaning apparatus; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0023]    The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements having similar characteristics and operational properties throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-surface cleaning apparatus having multi-surface capability for cleaning both hard and fabric surfaces. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1  is a cleaning assembly  10  constructed in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly  10  comprises a handle  12  having, first and second ends  14 ,  16 , respectively, for pushing the assembly. The cleaning assembly  10  further comprises a curvilinear assembly or dowel  20  comprising substantially curvilinear body  30 . In one example embodiment, the curvilinear surfaces  20 ,  30  are cylindrical. 
         [0026]    The first end  14  of the handle  12  includes a threaded portion (not shown) that is selectively positioned in one of two attachments such as tapped holes  22 ,  24  of the body  30  (see, for example,  FIGS. 2 and 5 , respectively). Hole one  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) is for rigid or flat surfaces (such as wood or tile) and hole two  24  (see  FIG. 5 ) is for flexible fabric or woven surfaces (such as carpet). The second end  16  of the handle  12  is for gripping by the user as he or she cleans the surface as the assembly  10  is pushed and/or pulled. In an alternative example embodiment, the attachments could be male portions along the body for connecting to a female opening or aperture located in the handle. Other attachments or known modes of attaching a handle to a device are intended to be within the spirit of the present disclosure as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0027]    The cylindrical assembly  20  comprises the cylindrical body  30  that includes a plurality of bristle packets  32 ,  36  projecting transversely from the body in a number of arrays  34   a  . . .  34   n.  The bristle packets  36  are of a first length suitable for rigid surfaces, while bristle packets  32  are of a second length suitable for flexible surfaces (see  FIG. 3 ). In the illustrated example embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the packets  32  and  36  project orthogonally from the body  30 . In one example embodiment, packets  36 A and  36 B comprise approximately 29 bristles, and packet  32 A comprises approximately 84 bristles, and packet  32 B comprises approximately 109 bristles (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In another example embodiment, the bristle packets  32  project outward from a central axis “O” of the body  30  to a working distance (see dimension “C” in  FIG. 3 ) of 1.6675″ inches and bristle packets  36  project outward from the central axis O of the body to a working distance (see dimension “T” in  FIG. 31  of 1.8875″ inches. 
         [0028]    In another example embodiment, the individual bristles  38  forming the bristle packets  32  are formed from a polymer, such as polypropylene having a diameter of 0.008″ to 0.010″ inches. While the individual bristles  39  forming the bristle packets  36  are formed from a polymer, such as polypropylene having a diameter of 0.014″ inches. In the illustrated example embodiment, the body  30  is made of wood or plastic, but it should be appreciated that it could be made from other materials having similar strength and weight. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , bristle packets  32  and  36  are positioned in a hemicylindrical pattern about the body  30  of the cylindrical assembly  20 . More specifically, the bristle packets  32  are aligned in a short hemicylindrical pattern  42  in order to accommodate flexible surfaces while bristle packets  36  are aligned in a tall hemicylindrical pattern  46  in order to accommodate rigid surfaces. In yet another example embodiment, the hemicylindrical patterns  42  and  46  can further be divided into first and second segments  42 A,  46 A and  42 B,  46 B, respectively in a 90 degree divisions about the respective hemicylindricals, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 3-5 . In one example embodiment, the packet  32 A populates the first segment  42 A, the packet  32 B populates the second segment  42 B, the packet  36 A populates the first segment  46 A, and the packet  36 B populates the second segment  46 B. In another example embodiment, the respective segments  42 A,  42 B,  46 A, and  46 B comprise at least one of a same and/or different bristle configuration, wherein the bristle configurations are configured for cleaning various surfaces such as floors and furniture. 
         [0030]    The cleaning surfaces acted on by the cleaning assembly  10  include rigid snakes and flexible surfaces. Examples of rigid surfaces include, but are not limited to wood floors, tile floors and surfaces, cement floors, grout or porous surface, countertops, and the like. Examples of flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to carpet, rugs, textile surfaces, fabrics, woven surfaces, upholstery, artificial turf, and the like. There are additionally soft flexible surfaces and hard flexible surfaces. Examples of soft flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to low pile carpets, shag carpets, and the like. Examples of hard flexible surfaces include, but are not limited to woven surfaces, wool rugs, tight pile carpeting or furniture, and the like. 
         [0031]    Stated another way, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the pattern  42  is divided into bristle packets  32 B in segment  42 B that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for a soft flexible surface to be cleaned. While the bristle packets  32 A in segment  42 A that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for a hard flexible surface to be cleaned. Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pattern  46  is divided into bristle packets  36 A in segment  46 A that are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for rigid surfaces, such as tile while the bristle packets  36 B in segment  46 B are suitable in length, pattern configuration, and texture for rigid surfaces, such as grout surfaces. 
         [0032]    An operator&#39;s guide is provided for the suitable surface conditions requiring cleaning by labels  50  and  52  located along the body  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The labels  50  and  52  inform the operator as to which pattern  42  or  46  and which further division, namely segment  42 A,  46 A or  42 B,  46 B to use based upon the type of texture to be cleaned (e.g., soft carpet (shag), hard carpet (woven wool or woven loop), tile, vinyl, stone, marble, granite, etc.). In one example embodiment, label  50  states soft carpet (arrow up  50 A pointing to segment  42 B) and hard carpet (arrow down  50 A pointing to segment  42 A). In the illustrated example embodiment, label  52  states tile (arrow up  52 A pointing to segment  46 A) and grout (arrow down  52 B pointing to segment  46 B). 
         [0033]    As can be, seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the cylindrical body  30  comprises an eccentric shape  60  comprising outer lobe  62  and inner lobe  64 . The eccentric shape  60  formed by said lobes  62 ,  64  allow for varying degrees of engagement of first and second wheels,  70 ,  72  with the cleaning surface during use. The eccentric shape  60  additionally allows for axis O to remain centralized through the body  30 . 
         [0034]    First and second wheels,  70 ,  72  are positioned in races  74  and  76 , respectively as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 6A-6D, and 10 . The races  74  and  76  follow the same eccentric shape  60  of the body  30  such that the wheels rotate about the central axis O, In a first illustrated example embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5, and 7-9 , the races  74 ,  76  intrude into the body  30  while maintaining an equal distance from the central axis “O.” In this example embodiment, the wheels  70 ,  72  protrude past the body  30  around the circumference. In a second illustrated example embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6D , and  10 , the races  74 ,  76  that rotatably retain wheels  70  and  72  are held in by walls  78 ,  80  of inset  82  illustrated in  FIG. 6B  through approximately 160 degrees of rotation and rotate around a protruding boss  84  or riser that radially engages art inward portion  86  of the wheel during the remaining rotation of the wheels. In this illustrated example embodiment, the races  74 ,  76  partially intrude into the body  30  and partially protrude from the body. In the illustrated example embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the wheels  70 ,  72  are illustrated protruding past the body  30 , and the wheels  70 A,  72 A, are illustrated as both protruding past the body pattern  42  and intrudes into the body adjacent pattern  46 . In the first example embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5, and 7-9 , the bristles  36  are sufficiently stiff to prevent the wheels from contacting the cleaning surface (such as a rigid surface or furniture) or render such contact minimal. In the second example embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6D, 8, and 10 , the wheels  70 ,  72  do not come into contact with the cleaning surface (e.g. rigid surface or furniture) when bristles  36  are engaged with cleaning said surface. 
         [0035]    In an alternative example embodiment, the wheels  70 ,  72  are replaced with a reduced friction surface. That is, the reduced friction surface is a flat/smooth surface, plurality of bearings, plurality of contact points, or any combination thereof. The flat surface could be a single point that extends to the same diameter from the body  30  as the wheels  70 ,  72  discussed in the prior example embodiment to operate the patterns and/or bristles substantially the same way. 
         [0036]    In the illustrated example embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the wheels  70 ,  72  are two pieces, both made of molded plastic that are snapped together upon positioning within the races  74 ,  76 . Following the eccentric shape  60  are end caps  96  and  98  that are located within the ends  31  and  33  of the body  30 . The end caps  96 ,  98  form a fluid resistant seal when pressed into the ends  31 ,  33 , preventing cleaning solution and/or water from entering into the body  30 . In the illustrated example embodiment, the body  30  is hollow for reducing material cost and/or to keep the assembly  10  light weight for ease of use. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 , different patterns  42  and  46  are shown as well as different segments within the patterns indicated by reference characters “A” and “B” for the different surface types to be cleaned. In one example embodiment, the different bristles patterns and/or segments are designated with different colors for assistance to the user when considering the type of surface or floor to be cleaned, e.g. tile, wood, soft carpet, hard carpet, and the like. 
         [0038]    The design associated with pattern  46  with bristling packets  36 B are advantageously arranged to engage grout. That is, the bristles in packets  36 B are centralized about the body  30  in a triangular configuration  90  and spaced regions  91  (indicated by dimensions d 1  and d 2  in  FIG. 8 ) from first and second groupings of edge cleaning bristle  92  having the same length as the triangular configuration  90  extending from the body. During operation, when the handle  12  is secured in hole  22 , the assembly or dowel  20  is setup for rigid surfaces, such as wood, tile, and grout. In such configuration, the multicylindrical or eccentric shape  60  of the body  30  and the cam-like configuration of the races  74 ,  76 , prevent the wheels  70 ,  72  from contacting the surface. Thus, bristle packets  36  and the bristle packets alone engage the surface for maximum scrubbing action. By inverting the dowel  20  (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0°) to about ninety degrees (90) in a first direction about axis O) such that bristle packets  36 A engage the floor, such configuration maximizes cleaning engagement for tile and wood floor-like surfaces without contact by the wheels  70 ,  72 . For example, the user may rotate the dowel  20  zero degrees ( 0 °) if the bristle packet  36 A already engages the floor, or ninety degrees (90°) if the bristle packet  369  initially engages the floor. Reversing the dowel  20  (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0°) to about ninety (90°) in a second direction relative to the first direction) such that the bristle packets  369  engage the floor, such configuration maximizes cleaning configuration for grout, where the spaced regions  91  allow for deeper penetration of the triangular bristle pattern  90  into the grout. In addition, the wheels  70 ,  72  in this position are unable to contact the floor again because of at least one of he bristle packet&#39;s relatively longer length and eccentric shape  60  of the body  30 . 
         [0039]    In yet another example embodiment, the body  30  further includes information molded into the body near the labels  50 ,  52 , indicating to the user in selecting which of holes  22 ,  24  to use for selectively attaching the handle  12  for a given surface type during use. For example, during operation of the assembly  20 , the user considers the type of surface to he cleaned. If the surface is for a flexible surface such as carpet, the user would selectively attach the handle  12  in tapped hole  24 . As such, the pattern  42  with bristle packets  32  of segments A or B engage the floor with contact of the wheels  70 ,  72 . That is, when the user desires bristles for soft carpet, the dowel  20  is rotated about the axis O (e.g., turning the dowel between zero degrees (0°) to about ninety degrees (90°) in the second direction) until the bristle packets  32 B contact the floor along with the wheels  70 ,  72 . If the user desires bristles for hard carpet, the dowel  20  is rotated (e.g., by turning the dowel between zero degrees (0°) to about ninety degrees (90°) in the first direction) from the soft carpet position described above until the bristle packets  32 A contact the flooring along with the wheels  70 ,  72 . The labels  50 ,  52  act as an aid to the user as to bristle type and location for handle  12  based on the floor type. The wheels  70  and  72  are strategically located inward along the body  30  of the dowel  20  (see dimension “k” in  FIG. 8 ) that allows for the assembly  10  (e.g., using the edge cleaning bristles  92 ) to clean near the edges of the surface near walls and the like. 
         [0040]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such Modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
         [0041]    The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
         [0042]    Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected or in contact, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
         [0043]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.