ELECTRIC DUSTERS

The present invention is concerned with an electric duster. The electric duster has an elongate profile defining a longitudinal axis. The electric duster has a utility portion arranged at a distal end of the electric duster, a grip portion arranged at a proximal end of the electric duster and a connecting portion arranged between the utility portion and the grip portion. The utility portion is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and the electric duster is further provided with a chamber containing a drive mechanism for providing rotational drive to the utility portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a cleaning implement, and in particular an electric duster adapted to reach difficult to reach areas of a premises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

There are a variety of cleaning implements in the market to assist a user to perform cleaning tasks. One example is the manual floor mop. While floor mops are suitable in certain cleaning tasks, the mopping head is often designed to mop a floor surface and not for cleaning other surface or areas in a premises. Another example is the vacuum cleaner. While vacuum cleaners are useful in that they are more powerful to remove dust and crumbs, they are usually relatively bulky. To address this, vacuum cleaner engineers have designed more compact accessories for accessing difficult to reach areas. However, still they are cleaning by way of suctioning, and they typically are not designed to be used with a cleaning detergent.

The present invention seeks to address at least the aforementioned problems, or at least to provide alternatives to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric duster with an elongate profile defining a longitudinal axis, comprising a utility portion arranged at a distal end of the electric duster, a grip portion arranged at a proximal end of the electric duster, and a connecting portion arranged between and connecting the utility portion and the grip portion, wherein the utility portion is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and the electric duster is provided with a chamber containing a drive mechanism for providing rotational drive to the utility portion.

Preferably, the utility portion may include a core member and brushing filaments enveloping the core member whereby in use rotation of the core member causes corresponding rotation of the brushing filaments.

Suitably, the drive mechanism may be provided with a motor, a gear box and an axle head extending from the gear box for driving the utility portion. The motor drives the gear box which in turn drives the axle head and then the utility portion.

Advantageously, the brushing filaments may assume the form of a sock enveloping the core member and may be removably securable to the core member.

The utility portion may be rotatable, reciprocatingly, about the longitudinal axis.

The connecting portion may include one or more circular tubes telescopically extendible along the longitudinal axis.

In a first embodiment, the chamber may be positioned behind the utility portion and is arranged between the utility portion and the connecting portion such that the utility portion is drivenable directly by the axle head. The electric duster may comprise a battery compartment positioned adjacent and behind the chamber, and within the distal end of the connecting portion. The electric duster may comprise a switch for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the chamber. One advantage of this configuration is that driving power from the motor is more efficiently and effectively transferred to the utility portion.

In a second embodiment, the connecting portion may include at least a first circular tube, a second circular tube and the chamber, the first circular tube may be positioned between the utility portion and the chamber, and the second circular tube may be positioned between the chamber and the grip portion. The electric duster may comprise a battery compartment positioned adjacent and behind the chamber, and within the distal end of the second circular tube. The electric duster may comprise a switch for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the chamber. The electric duster may comprise an axle connecting the axle head and the utility portion and housed in the first circular tube and being sufficiently long to reach and provide rotational drive to the utility portion. One advantage of this configuration is that with the weight of the chamber arranged at a mid-portion of the electric duster, a user holding the electric duster at the grip portion can more easily maneuver the electric duster as compared to when the chamber is located at the distal end of the connecting portion or between the utility portion and the connecting portion.

In a third embodiment, the chamber and the battery compartment may be housed within the grip portion. The electric duster may comprise a switch for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the grip portion. The electric duster may comprise an axle connecting the axle head and the utility portion and housed in the connecting portion and may be sufficiently long to reach and provide rotational drive to the utility portion. One advantage of this configuration is that with both the chamber and the switch located at the grip portion, more weight resides at the proximal end of the electric duster allowing a user to maneuver the electric duster more easily and to control the operation of the electric duster at the grip portion.

In a fourth embodiment, the chamber may be adjacent and positioned behind the utility portion and may be arranged between the utility portion and the connecting portion. The electric duster may comprise a compartment for batteries housed in the grip portion providing power to the motor. The electric duster may comprise a switch at the grip portion for controlling operation of the drive mechanism. The electric duster may comprise electric wires connecting and extending from the switch, the batteries and the drive mechanism within and along the connecting portion. With the configuration of the positioning of the chamber at the distal end and the switch at the grip portion, one advantage is that, the driving of the utility portion by the motor is more efficient and effective and yet the control, e.g. on/off, of the electric duster is within the reach of the fingers of the user.

The afore-described embodiments all share the feature of the core member to which the cleaning filament sock is fitted, and the core member may assume the configuration of a cylindrical block to which either the axle head or a connecting axle engages. However, in an alternative embodiment, the core member may be configured differently in that the block is somewhat flattened such that a transverse cross section of the block may assume an oval shape. One advantage of this flattened or oval structure is that, the utility portion can reach even smaller gaps, e.g. between a refrigerator and an adjacent wall. Regardless of the exact profile of the core member, the utility portion, preferably, may have a width or diameter from 1 cm to 4 cm. In a more preferred embodiment, the width or diameter is from 1 cm to 2 cm. The length of the core member may preferably be at least 12 cm, and up to 60 cm.

FIGS.1to16illustrate embodiments of a cleaning implement or an electric duster of the present invention.

Generally, an electric duster according to the present invention assumes an elongate profile defining a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the electric duster. The electric duster comprises a utility portion arranged at a distal end of the electric duster, a grip portion arranged at a proximal end of the electric duster and a connecting portion arranged between the utility portion and the grip portion. The utility portion is rotatable uni-directionally or reciprocatingly about the longitudinal axis during operation. The electric duster is provided with a chamber containing a drive mechanism for providing rotational drive to the utility portion. The grip portion is provided with ridges allowing a user to hold on to it securely during use. The utility portion includes a core member and brushing filaments enveloping the core member whereby in use rotation of the core member causes corresponding rotation of the brushing filaments.

The drive mechanism is provided with a motor, a gear box and an axle head extending from the gear box for driving the utility portion. The brushing filaments assume the form of a sock enveloping the core member and are removably securable to the core member. The brushing filament sock is replaceable for washing. The electric duster may be provided with multiple brushing filament socks with filaments of different coarseness to suit different cleaning needs in a cleaning exercise. A user can simply choose an appropriate cleaning media. The brushing filament socks are adapted to be used in conjunction with a suitable cleaning detergent. He core member is provided with a recess at its proximal end to which either an axle head or a connecting axle from the drive mechanism engages.

The utility portion may be rotatable, reciprocatingly, about the longitudinal axis. The connecting portion may include one or more circular tubes telescopically extendible along the longitudinal axis. The utility portion may be rotatable in one of a number of pre-designed speeds.

FIGS.1to4illustrate a first specific embodiment of an electric duster2. The electric duster2is provided with a chamber4positioned behind a utility portion6and is arranged between the utility portion6and a connecting portion8such that the utility portion6is directly drivenable by an axle head10. In this embodiment, the electric duster is free of a connecting axle between the axle head10and the utility portion6. The use of a direct driving mechanism without using an intermediate connecting axle allows the actuation of the utility portion in a more responsive manner.FIG.2Aspecifically shows that, along the length of the electric duster, there is provided a grip portion14, the connecting portion8, a battery compartment16positioned in the distal end of the connecting portion8, the drive mechanism housing a motor18powered by batteries20in the battery compartment16from behind and providing mechanical rotational drive to the axle head10which in turn provide rotational drive to the utility portion6. The chamber4has a slightly enlarged width/diameter compared to the connection portion8.

FIG.2BandFIG.2Cshow that the connecting portion8includes two circular tube sections, namely a front circular tube section22and a rear circular tube section24. The connecting portion8is telescopically extendible in which the front circular tube section22is retractable within the rear circular tube section24. When extended, the electric duster2can reach a farther away location. When retracted, the electric duster2becomes more compact and suitable, for example, for storage.

FIG.3Ais an exploded view of the electric duster2and illustrates that the battery compartment16positioned at the distal end of the connecting portion8.FIG.3Aalso shows that the drive mechanism is positioned between the battery compartment16and the utility portion6.FIG.3Billustrates that the electric duster2provides a switch26for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the chamber4. In a further specific embodiment, the switch26allows different rotational mode, e.g. off, clockwise rotation, anti-clockwise rotation, reciprocating rotation.

FIG.4is a schematic view showing a user holding on to the electric duster2ofFIG.1.

Positioning of both the drive mechanism and the switch2at the distal end of the electric duster2is advantageous at least in a manufacturing perspective because all mechanical and electrical elements are located at the distal end of the electric duster2; the need to connect such elements spaced apart across distant locations along the electric duster is not a concern.

FIGS.5to8illustrate a second embodiment of an electric duster102. The electric duster likewise has a utility portion106, a connecting portion108with two circular tube sections, namely a front circular tube section122and a rear circular tube section124, a grip portion114, a chamber118containing a drive mechanism and a battery compartment116. However, the configuration of the connecting portion108is different. For example, the chamber104is positioned between the first circular tube section122and the second circular tube section124, and the battery compartment116is positioned adjacent and behind the chamber118and within the distal end of the rear circular tube section124. Please seeFIG.5toFIG.6B.

FIG.7Ais an exploded view of the electric duster102.FIGS.7A to7Cshow that the electric duster102is provided with a connecting axle112between an axle head110and the utility portion106, the connecting axle112housed within the front circular tube section122. A motor118of the drive mechanism provides rotational drive to the axle head110which in turn drive the connecting axle112and then utility portion106. In this embodiment, the connecting portion108is not retractable.

FIG.7Billustrates that the electric duster provides a switch126for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the chamber104. Likewise, the switch126allows different rotational mode, e.g. off, clockwise rotation, anti-clockwise rotation, reciprocating (or alternating) clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation.

FIG.8is a schematic view showing a user holding on to the electric duster102ofFIG.5.

Positioning of both the drive mechanism and the switch126at a mid-region of the electric duster102is beneficial in a multi-fold manner. One advantage is that in use the switch126is easier to reach by a user such that the user can access the switch126more conveniently. Further, when the chamber104with the drive mechanism is positioned further back, the entire distal end of the electric duster102(e.g. utility portion106) can be kept with a slimmer profile so that in use the utility portion106can reach difficult to reach areas, e.g. tighter areas, without the (enlarged) chamber104getting in the way.

FIGS.9to12illustrate a third embodiment of an electric duster202. The electric duster202also has a grip portion214, a connecting portion208, a utility portion206, a chamber204containing a drive mechanism and a battery compartment220. However, the connecting portion208has only one circular tube section222and is not retractable. In this embodiment, the chamber204is positioned within the distal end of the grip portion214while the battery compartment220is positioned behind and adjacent the chamber204within the grip portion214. Similar to the second embodiment, the electric duster202is provided with a connecting axle212connecting an axle head210extended from a motor218of the drive mechanism to the utility portion206. Please seeFIGS.9to12.

FIGS.11A and11Billustrate that the electric duster202also provides a switch226for controlling operation of the drive mechanism and protruded from the chamber204. Likewise, the switch226allows different rotational mode, e.g. off, clockwise rotation, anti-clockwise rotation, reciprocating rotation.

FIG.12is a schematic view showing a user holding on to the electric duster202ofFIG.9.

Positioning of both the drive mechanism and the switch226at a proximal end of the electric duster202is beneficial in a multi-fold manner. One advantage is that the switch226located right at the grip portion214is reachable by a flick of a finger of the user. Further, when the chamber204with the drive mechanism is positioned further back, the entire distal end of the electric duster202(e.g. utility portion206) can be kept with a slimmer profile so that in use the utility portion206can reach difficult to reach areas, e.g. tighter areas, without the (enlarged) chamber getting in the way.

FIGS.13to16illustrate a fourth embodiment of an electric duster302. The electric duster302is also provided a grip portion314, a connecting portion308and a utility portion306. Similar to the third embodiment, the electric duster is provided with a chamber304housing a drive mechanism and located the distal end of the connecting portion308. Please seeFIGS.14A and14B. There are however differences. For example, the connecting portion308has only one circular tube section322and is not retractable. Further, while the electric duster302is also provided with a switch326for controlling the operation of the electric duster302and a battery compartment316for providing power to the drive mechanism, both the switch326and the drive mechanism are located at the grip portion. The switch326and the batteries320from the battery compartment316and the drive mechanism are electrically connected.

FIG.16is a schematic view showing a user holding on to the electric duster ofFIG.9.

Positioning of the drive mechanism at the distal end of the electric duster302and the switch302and the battery compartment312at the proximal end of the electric duster302is beneficial in a multi-fold manner. One advantage is that weight distribution along the electric duster is more balanced. Second, the switch326located right at the grip portion314is easily reachable by a flick of a finger of the user.

The afore-described embodiments all share the feature of the core member to which the cleaning filament sock is fitted. In the embodiments, the core member assumes the configuration of a cylindrical block to which either the axle head or a connecting axle engages. However, the core member may alternatively be configured slightly differently in that the block is somewhat flattened such that a transverse cross section of the block is has an oval shape. One advantage of this flattened or oval shape is that the utility portion can reach even smaller gaps, e.g. between a refrigerator and an adjacent wall.

Regardless of the exact profile of the core member, the utility portion, preferably, has a width or diameter from 1 cm to 4 cm. In a more preferred embodiment, the width or diameter is from 1 cm to 2 cm. The length of the core member is preferably at least 12 cm, and up to 60 cm.

It should be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, a skilled person in the art will be aware of the prior art which is not explained in the above for brevity purpose.