Automotive cleaning device

The present invention is directed to an automotive cleaning device that includes an elongated base member having a first end and a second end. A brush assembly is connected to the second end. The brush assembly includes three brush members connected to the base member at the second end. Each of the brush members includes a wire element having fill bristles attached thereto. The wire element is connected to the second end at a first terminating point and a second terminating point with a looped wire portion extending therebetween. The looped wire portions of the three brush members are disposed on the base member to thereby form a brush gap configured to accommodate a wheel lug nut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an automotive cleaning device, and particularly to a vehicle lug nut cleaning device.

2. Technical Background

The wheels of automobiles, trucks, SUVs, and other such vehicles are typically equipped with hub caps that cover at least a portion of the wheel rim. Certain types of hub caps include receptacles that receive and cover the wheel lug nuts. The lug nut receptacles form crevices in the hub cap which tend to collect dirt and road grime. On the other hand, the wheels may be disposed on the vehicle such that the lug nuts are exposed to the ambient conditions. Of course, when vehicle wheels are exposed to the ambient road conditions, the lug nuts may become dirty and rusted.

The process of cleaning lug nuts and/or lug nut receptacles may be difficult and laborious because of the cracks and crevices in the and around these features. The lack of clearance prevents the cleaner from accessing these areas. For example, the tight clearances prevents conventional brushes or a person's fingers from entering these spaces to remove dirt, rust and grime.

In one approach that may be considered, the vehicle owner may remove the wheel from the vehicle for cleaning. By removing the wheel, the vehicle owner may clean each lug nut separately. Of course, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, this process is time consuming and laborious. The car must be placed on a jack-stand and elevated. After each of the lugs are removed, the tire is lifted off of the wheel. After cleaning the lugs, the process is reversed.

In another approach that has been considered, a sponge may be employed to clean the vehicle lug nuts. However, sponges do not have the rigidity to penetrate into cracks and crevices. Further, sponges have a tendency have wearing out and disintegrating after being repeatedly applied to irregular metallic surfaces.

Accordingly, what is needed is a durable lug cleaning implement that overcomes the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an automotive cleaning device that includes an elongated base member having a first end and a second end. A brush assembly is connected to the second end. The brush assembly includes three brush members connected to the base member at the second end. Each of the brush members includes a wire element having fill bristles attached thereto. The wire element is connected to the second end at a first terminating point and a second terminating point with a looped wire portion extending therebetween. The looped wire portions of the three brush members are disposed on the base member to thereby form a brush gap configured to accommodate a wheel lug nut.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an automotive cleaning system that includes an electrically powered tool including a connector portion configured to rotate about an axis of rotation when the tool is in an energized state. A cleaning device including an elongated base member having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to accommodate the connector portion such that the cleaning device rotates about the axis of rotation when the tool is in the energized state. The cleaning device also includes a brush assembly connected to the second end. The brush assembly includes three brush members connected to the base member at the second end. Each of the brush members includes a wire element having fill bristles attached thereto. The wire element is connected to the second end at a first terminating point and a second terminating point with a looped wire portion extending therebetween. The looped wire portions of the three brush members are disposed on the base member to thereby form a brush gap configured to accommodate a wheel lug nut.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. An exemplary embodiment of the lug nut brush of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1, and is designated generally throughout by reference numeral10.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, various side elevation views of a lug nut brush10in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. Brush10includes an elongated tapered base member12integrally connected to three brush members14. Base member12may be hand held in use, or may be attached to a rotating power tool. In one embodiment, the base member is fabricated from a hard plastic material. Base member12includes a gripping portion122. Each brush14consists of a wire element140and brush bristles142. A portion of the wire element140is disposed and encapsulated in the plastic base member12to thereby secure the brush member14to the base12. In one embodiment wire element140is formed as a loop, with a lower portion of the loop encapsulated in the plastic base member.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that brushes14may be of any suitable type. For example, brush wire element140may be constructed using two stem wires. Brush bristles142may be twisted between the two stem wires. The stem wires are terminated in the base member12. On the other hand, the bristles142may be twisted between four stem wires. This is known in the art as a single spiral/double stem brush. Of course, the present invention contemplates using a double spiral/double stem arrangement as well. IN this arrangement, two layers of fill bristles are twisted between the four stem wires comprising the wire element140.

Referring toFIG. 4, a bottom view of the lug nut brush shown inFIG. 1is disclosed.FIG. 4reveals that base member12has a hexagonal shaped cross-section. Base member12is hollow and includes a hex-shaped hole16configured to accommodate a hex lug-nut. This feature is advantageous because it allows the user to adjust the position of the lug nut along the wheel stud. Once adjusted, the wire brush portion14may be used to clean the space between the lug nut and the wheel. Alternatively, brush14may remove any dirt or rust that has accumulated on, or between, the threads of the stud.

FIG. 5is a top view of the lug nut brush shown inFIG. 1. The three brushes14form a space18for accommodating a lug nut. In operation, the user inserts the lug nut into space18and rotates the base member12. Dirt and rust are removed by the brushes14as they are rotated around the lug nut. The edges of the brushes14may also be used to remove foreign materials from the lugs or other portions of the wheel. For example, when the lugs are rotated such that a portion of a stud is exposed near the wheel, the edge of the brush may be applied to remove rust and/or dirt.