Abstract:
Provided is a motorized cleaning brush arranged to provide vibratory cleaning action. The motorized cleaning brush includes a head including bristles projecting therefrom, a body portion having a battery compartment therein, and a neck portion extending between and coupling the head and the body portion. The brush further includes a motor disposed in the brush and in electrical communication with the battery compartment and an offset weight coupled to an axle of the motor and configured to impart vibratory motion to the bristles when the motor is activated. Additionally, the brush includes a first button disposed on the body portion and electrically coupled to the motor, the first button being configured to activate the motor in a first manner in response to a user selection of the first button.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/435,995, filed Jan. 25, 2011, entitled “Motorized Cleaning Brush,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
       [0002]    Cleaning brushes are manufactured in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types for residential and commercial cleaning purposes. One type of cleaning brush currently available is a cleaning brush with a reciprocating brush head. These brushes typically include a motor to enhance the cleaning power of the brush&#39;s bristles in some manner. For instance, a motor may reciprocate the brush head back and forth to augment a user&#39;s own cleaning motion. This enhanced cleaning power is useful to loosen and remove dirt, grime, and food particles from a cleaning surface. However, reciprocating brush heads may not be suitable for all cleaning tasks. 
         [0003]    Further, in a conventional motorized cleaning brush, the internal motor is typically operated by a button disposed on a handle of the brush. When pressed by a user, the button may cause the motorized brush to power on until the button is pressed again. This mode of operation may be appropriate for some cleaning situations, but not all. Additionally, in a marketing context, it may be beneficial to allow potential customers to try out the functionality of a motorized cleaning brush. However, conventional power buttons on motorized brushes, such the one described above, may be ill suited for demonstration purposes. For instance, a customer may power on a motorized brush and then leave, thus causing the batteries in the brush to prematurely drain. Accordingly, while existing motorized cleaning brushes have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a motorized cleaning brush arranged to provide vibratory cleaning action. The motorized cleaning brush includes a head including bristles projecting therefrom, a body portion having a battery compartment therein, and a neck portion extending between and coupling the head and the body portion. The brush further includes a motor disposed in the brush and in electrical communication with the battery compartment and an offset weight coupled to an axle of the motor and configured to impart vibratory motion to the bristles when the motor is activated. Additionally, the brush includes a first button disposed on the body portion and electrically coupled to the motor, the first button being configured to activate the motor in a first manner in response to a user selection of the first button. 
         [0005]    In some instances, the brush further may include a second button disposed in the handle and electrically coupled to the motor, the second button being independently selectable from the first button and configured to activate the motor in a second manner different than the first manner in response to a user selection of the second button. 
         [0006]    In other instances, the first button may be configured to activate the motor for an indefinite time period in response to a first user selection and deactivate the motor in response to a second user selection subsequent to the first user selection. 
         [0007]    In additional instances, the second button may be configured to activate the motor only during a duration of a user selection of the second button. 
         [0008]    In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a motorized cleaning brush. The motorized cleaning brush includes a head including bristles projecting therefrom, a handle coupled to the head and having battery contacts disposed therein, and a motor disposed in the handle and in electrical communication with the battery contacts. The brush further includes a first switch electrically coupled to the motor and the battery contacts, the first switch being configured to electrically couple the motor to the battery contacts upon a first actuation and disconnect the motor from the battery contacts upon a second actuation subsequent to the first actuation. Additionally, the brush includes a second switch independently actuatable relative to the first switch and electrically coupled to the motor and the battery contacts, the second switch being configured to electrically couple the motor to the battery contacts only during a third actuation. 
         [0009]    In some instances, the handle may include a sleeve disposed around the handle and configured to provide grip to a user holding the handle. 
         [0010]    In other instances, the sleeve may include a first button molded therein, the first button being configured to actuate the first switch upon a user selection of the first button, and the sleeve may also include a second button modeled therein and independently selectable relative to the first button, the second button being configured to actuate the second switch upon a user selection of the second button. 
         [0011]    In additional instances, the motor may include an offset weight disposed on an axle of the motor, the offset weight configured to impart vibratory motion to the bristles when the motor is activated. 
         [0012]    In yet another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of powering a motorized cleaning brush. The method includes receiving a first actuation of a first switch disposed in the cleaning brush and electrically coupled to a motor and a power source, and, in response to receiving the first actuation, indefinitely electrically coupling the motor to the power source, the electrically coupling causing the motor to impart vibratory motion to bristles projecting from a head of the motorized cleaning brush. The method also includes receiving a second actuation of the first switch, and, in response to receiving the second actuation, electrically disconnecting the power source from the motor. Additionally, the method includes receiving a third actuation of a second switch disposed in the cleaning brush and electrically coupled to the motor and the power source, the second switch being independently actuatable with respect to the first switch, and, in response to the third actuation, electrically coupling the motor to the power source only during a duration of the third actuation. 
         [0013]    In some instances, the receiving the first actuation of the first switch may include receiving a user selection of a first button molded into a sleeve disposed around the handle, the selection of the first button causing the sleeve to contact the first switch and cause the first actuation. 
         [0014]    In other instances, the receiving the third actuation of the second switch may include receiving a user selection of a second button molded into the sleeve, the selection of the second button causing the sleeve to contact the second switch and cause the third activation, the second button being independently selectable relative to the first button. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A better understanding of the present invention will be realized from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIGS. 1-4  are diagrammatic views of a motorized cleaning brush according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic side view of a motorized cleaning brush that is similar to motorized cleaning brush of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a motorized cleaning brush according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic exploded view of the motorized cleaning brush of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of the motorized cleaning brush of  FIG. 6  in a disassembled state. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic sectional side view of the motorized cleaning brush of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a simplified block diagram of the internal electrical components of the motorized cleaning brush of  FIG. 6  according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  are diagrammatic views of an exemplary motorized cleaning brush  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the brush  100  may be sized in a range of about 9-12 inches, and, in one embodiment, may be about 10.5 inches in length. Alternatively, it may be longer or shorter in other embodiments. Brush  100  includes a head  102  disposed at a working end of the brush. In an embodiment, head  102  may be sized in a range of about 1-3 inches, and, in one embodiment, may be about 1.25 inches in width. Alternatively, it may be wider or slimmer in other embodiments. Head  102  includes bristles  104  that project from the head in a manner shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . More specifically, the bristles  104  project from both the sides and bottom of head  102 . In an embodiment, bristles  104  may extend about 0.75 inches from the head  102  but, alternatively, may be longer or shorter in other embodiments. Head  102  also includes a scrubber or scraper  106  that protrudes from the working end of brush  100 . The scraper  106  extends across the entire width of head  102  and may include a hard tapered edge operable to scrape particles from cleaning surfaces. In one embodiment, head  102  and scraper  106  may be constructed of molded plastic. 
         [0025]    Brush  100  further includes an elongated neck  108 . Neck  108  may be formed of overmolded rubber and include molded soft ribs  110  for grip. In one embodiment, the rubber molded around neck  108  is a thermoplastic elastomer. Disposed within neck  108  is electric motor  112 . Motor  112  includes an offset weight  114  configured to vibrate head  102 . In one embodiment, motor  112  may be a variable speed motor configured to spin offset weight  114  at multiple speeds. Neck  108  also includes sealed switch  116 . Switch  116  is electrically coupled to motor  112  and switches motor  112  on and off. In one embodiment, switch  116  may be operable to toggle between different speeds of motor  112 . At the end opposite of head  102 , neck  108  is coupled to a cylindrical plastic body  118 . Disposed within body  118  is battery compartment  120 . Compartment  120  is configured to hold batteries that power motor  112 . In this example, the body  118  also includes a logo  122  molded in the plastic of the body. A battery access cap  124  is detachably coupled to body  118  and provides access to compartment  120 . Battery access cap  124  may be waterproof and includes an aperture  126  therethrough. In operation, the motor  112  vibrates the head  102  and thus the bristles  104  to improve cleaning power. When a user is cleaning with the motor switched on, the rubber neck  108  dampens vibrations created by motor  112  to provide a soothing massage feel to a user even during the cleaning process. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic side view of a motorized dish brush  200  that is similar to motorized dish brush  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a motorized cleaning brush  300  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In general, the motorized cleaning brush is operable to enhance the cleaning power of a user&#39;s brush strokes by projecting vibrations through a working end of the brush. In an embodiment, the brush  300  may have an end-to-end length in a range of about 9-14 inches, and, in one embodiment, may be about 12 inches in length. Alternatively, it may be longer or shorter in other embodiments. 
         [0028]    The motorized cleaning brush  300  includes a head  302  at a working end of the brush. In the illustrated embodiment, the head  302  is approximately circular in shape with a diameter of approximately 3 inches. In alternative embodiments, the head  302  may have a diameter in a range of about 3-5 inches. Further, in one embodiment, the head  302  may be constructed of molded plastic. In alternative embodiments, the head  302  may be differently shaped so as to be suitable for different cleaning tasks, and may be formed out of a different material and/or a plurality of materials. The head  302  includes bristles  304  that project from a plane of the head in the manner shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the bristles  304  are arranged in tufts of closely spaced bristles. In some embodiments, the head  302  may includes a variety of different bristles. For instance, the bristles  304  may vary in thickness (i.e., gauge), length, protrusion angle, type of material, and in various other manners, and, additionally, one tuft of bristles may vary from another tuft of bristles. Further, in some embodiments the bristles  304  may be uniformly distributed across the plane of the head without forming tufts. The head  302  additionally includes a neck  306  that extends from the head at an acute angle relative to the plane from which the bristles  304  protrude. However, alternative heads may include necks that extend at different angles to provide different working positions. As will be described in association with  FIG. 8 , the head  302  is releasably coupled to the remainder of the brush, so that it may be exchanged for a different head type. 
         [0029]    The brush  300  further includes an elongated handle  308  (i.e., body portion) that extends from the neck  306  of the head  302 . The handle  308  is configured to fit snugly within a user&#39;s grip so that an appropriate amount of pressure may be applied through the head  302  and to a cleaning surface. In some embodiments, the handle  308  may have a length in a range of about 4-6 inches, and in one embodiment, may have a length of about 5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  308  is formed of molded plastic, but may be formed of other materials in alternative embodiments. The handle  308  includes a rubberized sleeve  310  that wraps around the handle. The sleeve  310  is embedded in the handle  308  such that an outer surface of the sleeve is flush with the remainder of handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  310  is formed of a molded rubber such as a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) that provides grip for a user&#39;s hand and also reduces vibrations from the brush&#39;s motorized components. Additionally, the handle includes a compartment disposed therein that is configured to house electrical components of the motorized brush. The electrical components will be described in association with  FIGS. 7-10 . 
         [0030]    The handle  308  further includes a power button  312  and a demonstration button  314  molded into the sleeve  310 . The buttons  312  and  314  are spaced apart so that they may be independently selectable by a user. In that regard, the power button  312  is configured to power on the motorized portions of the brush  300  when depressed and released by a user. The motorized portions will remain powered on until the button  312  is depressed again. In contrast, the demonstration button  314  is configured to power on the motorized portions of the brush  300  only when depressed. That is, when a user presses the button  314 , the brush is powered on, but, when the button is released, the brush is powered off. Additionally, in some embodiments, the power button  312  may allow a user to choose between a plurality of power levels for the brush. For instance, once the brush has been powered on, the power button  312  may be configured to cycle through the plurality of power levels with successive presses before powering off the brush. While various motorized cleaning brushes are known in the art, a brush with independently operable power buttons that operate to power the brush in different manners is not known. Such a button configuration may be beneficial in a retail setting. For instance, when the brush  300  is disposed in retail packaging, the demonstration button  314  may be exposed while the power button  312  may be hidden. In this manner, a shopper may depress the demonstration button  314  to temporarily power the brush on for inspection, but is not able to power on the brush and leave. Further, a brush with two modes of activation that are independently selectable via two buttons, such as described above, may be useful in cleaning situations in which a user would like to selectively activate the motor. For instance, a user may press and hold the demonstration button  314  when enhanced cleaning power is only needed for a short time, but may permanently switch on the motor with the power button  312  when enhanced cleaning power is needed for a longer duration. 
         [0031]    The brush  300  further includes an end cap  316  coupled to the handle  308  and disposed at an opposite end of the brush as the head  302 . The end cap  316  includes an aperture  318  therethrough that is configured to allow the brush to be hung in various manners. In some embodiments, the end cap  316  may have a length of about 1-4 inches, and, in one embodiment, may have a length of about 2.7 inches. Further, a seal ring  320  is disposed between the end cap  316  and the handle  308  to prevent liquid ingress into the handle at the junction between the end cap and the handle. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  illustrated are diagrammatic views of the motorized cleaning brush  300  of  FIG. 6  showing both the external components of the brush described in association with  FIG. 6 , as well as various internal electrical components. Specifically,  FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic exploded view of the motorized cleaning brush  300  of  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view of the motorized cleaning brush  300  in a disassembled state, and  FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic sectional side view of the motorized cleaning brush  300 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 , the motorized cleaning brush  300  includes an internal cradle  350  that is disposed within the handle  308  when the brush  300  is in an assembled state. An electric motor  352  is disposed at one end of the cradle  350  and includes an axle extending toward the head  302 . The motor  352  includes an offset weight  354  disposed on its axle. That is, a greater percentage of the weight&#39;s mass is disposed on one side of the axle than the other. Thus, when the motor&#39;s axle rotates at high speeds, the offset weight  354  generates vibrations that propagate through the head  302  and to the bristles  304 . Accordingly, when the motor  352  is powered on by either of the buttons  312  or  314 , it vibrates the bristles  304  to enhance their cleaning power. Notably, the motor&#39;s axle is not coupled to other components of the brush and the vibrating bristle movement is produced by the rotation of the offset weight  354 . 
         [0034]    The cradle  350  further includes a power switch  356  and a demonstration switch  358  that are integrated into the cradle and spaced apart so they are independently actuatable. The power switch  356  provides the operational functionality for the power button  312  as described above, and the demonstration switch  358  provides the operational functionality for the demonstration button  314  as described above. In this regard, the cradle  350  is configured such that when it is disposed within the handle  308 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , the power switch  356  is aligned beneath the power button  312  on the sleeve  310  and the demonstration switch  358  is aligned beneath the demonstration button  314 . And, the handle  308  includes an aperture  360  through which the power switch  356  slightly extends to engage the power button  312  and an aperture  362  through which the demonstration switch  358  slightly extends to engage the demonstration button  314 . Thus, when a user depresses the power button  312  on the sleeve  310 , the power switch  356  is actuated, and when a user depresses the demonstration button  314 , the demonstration switch  358  is actuated. Further, because the buttons  312  and  314  are, in one embodiment, simply molded portions of the sleeve  310 , the switches  356  and  358  are sealed against liquid ingress. Additionally, as will be described in more detail in association with  FIG. 10 , the switches  356  and  358  are independently electrically coupled to the motor  352  so as to provide independent functionality. 
         [0035]    The internal cradle  350  further includes a battery channel  370  configured to secure one or more batteries therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery channel  370  includes a compression contact  372  on one end of the channel and a planar contact  374  on an opposite end of the channel. Thus, when two batteries  376  are disposed within the channel  370 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the compression contact  372  electrically contacts one of the batteries and compresses it against the other battery so that the other battery firmly contacts the planar contact  374 . In alternative embodiments, the battery channel  370  may be configured to accept different types, sizes, and number of batteries. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the head  302  and the end cap  316  of brush  300  are releasably coupled to the handle  308  such that they may be detached from the handle  308 . In more detail, the head  302  releasably couples to the handle  308  via the neck  306 . The handle  308  includes a projection  380  that is configured to engage a cavity  382  in the neck  306 . Further, to ensure the head  302  does not inadvertently decouple from the handle  308 , the projection  380  and cavity  382  include complementary coupling structure that locks the head in place when engaged. In some embodiments, the projection  380  includes a seal ring that is compressed between the neck  306  and the handle  308  when the neck and handle are coupled to prevent fluid ingress into the neck/handle junction. Because the head  302  is removable from the handle  308 , a user may remove the head and replace it with a type of head to suit a user&#39;s cleaning task. 
         [0037]    The end cap  316  also includes a projection  384  that is configured to engage a cavity in the handle  308 . Like the projection  380  and cavity  382  in the handle  308  and neck  306 , the projection  384  and cavity  386  include complementary coupling structures that lock the end cap  316  in place when engaged with the handle. Because the end cap  316  is removable from the handle  308 , a user may remove the end cap and replace it with a different type, for example, one that includes a hook. Additionally, when the end cap  316  is uncoupled from the handle  308 , the internal cradle may be removed so a user may install or exchange batteries in the battery channel  370 . However, in some embodiments, the cradle  350  may be secured inside of the handle and a user may install batteries by removing the end cap and dropping them into the channel  370 . Accordingly, the cavity  386  within the handle may be considered a battery compartment. As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the end cap  316  is engaged with the handle  308 , an inside wall of the end cap urges the internal cradle  350  towards the working end of the brush  300 . Specifically, when the brush  300  is fully assembled, the offset weight  354  is positioned within the projection  380  of the handle  308 . This positioning of the offset weight  354  near the working end of the brush  300  allows the head  302  to vibrate more vigorously than the rest of the brush, thus improving the cleaning power of the bristles  304 . 
         [0038]    Additionally, the vibratory effect of the rotating offset weight  354  enables more effective or efficient cleaning in some cleaning applications than devices that may impart a sweeping motion, as might occur when reciprocating an entire brush head. For example, deeply embedded dirt in hard to access locations such as cracks may be more effectively accessed by a brush that imparts vibratory motion. Because of the vibratory motion may be imparted to the bristles through the head, without necessarily a larger sweeping bristle motion, the vibrating bristles may be able to better penetrate the crack instead of merely passing over it. This enables the vibrating bristles to loosen debris, dirt, or grime within the crack that can then be removed from the crack. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a simplified block diagram of the internal electrical components of the motorized cleaning brush  300  of  FIG. 6  according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 10 , and as mentioned above, the power switch  356  and demonstration switch  358  are independently coupled to the motor  352  such that each may independently complete an electrical connection between the battery channel  370  and the motor  352 . Further, the power switch  356  includes switching circuitry  390  that is discrete from switching circuitry  392  in the demonstration switch  358 . That is, each switch may provide unique operational functionality for the brush. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the switching circuitry  390  in the power switch  356  is operable to power on the motor  352  when the power switch is actuated and keep the motor powered on until the power switch is actuated again. In one embodiment, the power switch  356  is a latching switch that maintains its state after being actuated and will persist in that state until actuated again. In contrast, the switch circuitry  392  in the demonstration switch  358  is operable to power on the motor  352  only during an actuation of the demonstration switch. In one embodiment, the demonstration switch is a momentary push-button switch (i.e., a “push-to-make” switch) that is biased in the off-position. In alternative embodiments, the switches  356  and  358  may operable in various other independent manners, and may be different types of switches. For instance, in those embodiments in which the motor  352  is a variable speed motor, the switching circuitry  390  in the power switch  356  may be operable to send an increasing amount of power to the motor with successive actuations of the power switch. It should be understood that the block diagram of  FIG. 10  has been simplified for the sake of clarity, and the brush  300  may include additional and/or different electrical components. 
         [0040]    The foregoing outlines features of selected embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduce herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the claims that follow.