A DUSTER

Abstract: A duster having a soft cleaning body (10) formed from fibrous material, feathers and the like, a handle (11) extending from the body, attachment means (12) to assist in attaching the handle (11) to the body (10), a powered audio device in the attachment means (12), and a sensor to activate the powered audio device, said sensor activating the powered audio device upon use of the duster.

Description: A DUSTER THIS INVENTION relates to a duster and particularly to a duster having a fibrous cleaning body such as feathers, or wool, or artificial fibre attached to a handle. These dusters (usually called feather or wool dusters) are widely used to clean furniture, Venetians, benchtops, and the like. The soft fibrous body collects and traps dust and this can later be shaken out or washed out, εs the case may be. Cleaning and dusting can be a monotonous activity and therefore there is a tendency to either not clean or dust, or otherwise to clean or dust too quickly. The present invention is directed to a duster which can include an audio device which can play music and which can break down the monotony of dusting, or provide a novelty device. It is an object of the invention to provide a duster which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. In one form, the invention resides in a duster having a soft cleaning body formed from fibrous material, feathers and the like, a handle extending from the body, attachment means to assist in attaching the handle to the body, a powered audio device in the attachment means, and a sensor to activate the powered audio device, said sensor activating the powered audio device upon use of the duster. The soft cleaning body of the duster may be of any known or usefui type and typically includes feathers, natural fibres such as wool, artificial fibres, and the like. The type of cleaning body does not form part of the invention. The handle is typically el-r-ngate and of sufficient length to allow it to be easily gripped and also to provide the duster with sufficient length to reach awkward places. The handle may pass substantially through the cleaning body. The handle may include an aperture in one end to allow the duster to be hung when not in use. The handle is attached to the cleaning body by an attachment means. The attachment means attaches the handle to one end of the cleaning body. The attachment means can comprise a collar or ferrule which extends about an end of the handle and also allows the cleaning body to be attached thereto. The collar or ferrule may be frusto-conical in shape which is advantageous to provide a large surface area to attach the cleaning body to it, but also results in the existence of an internal cavity. The powered audio device may include a battery- operated musical device. The device may be self- contained and is preferably sized such that it can fit within the internal cavity of the ferrule. The device may be integrally formed with the duster. The powered audio device may be pre-programmed to play particular musical scores, notes, or alternatively, spoken messages may be provided. The type of audio message or music forms no part of the invention. The sensor may be a motion sensor such that when the duster is used, the audio device is activated. It is preferred that the sensor is also located in the ferrule area if the sensor is a motion-activated sensor. The reason for having the sensor in this area is that should the sensor be located too far down the handle, there may be insufficient motion to activate the sensor, or should the sensor be placed within the cleaning body portion, it may be damaged, or alternatively, activate the audio device upon the slightest movement. It is found that by having the sensor in the ferrule portion, an advantageous benefit is realised in that the sensor will operate the audio device when the duster is being normally used. In an alternative, the audio device may be activated by a heat sensor. The heat sensor is preferably located in the handle and where a person would normally gip the handle. Heat transmitted by the person's hand would cause the sensor to activate the audio device. By placing the audio device within the ferrule, it is protected against damage, knocks, will not be damaged or broken by a person's grip (this being particularly so if the device was located in the handle), and will also not be damaged upon use of the duster (which would be particularly so if the audio device was located in the cleaning body). In the embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, there is shown a duster comprising a soft cleaning body 10 formed from wool two centimetres wide wound onto the handle 11. Handle 11 is attached to cleaning body 10 by ferrule 12. Within ferrule 12 is located a powered audio device. The powered audio device is provided with its own sensor which is also located in the ferrule and typically is part of the musical device. The powered audio device may also be activated by holding the duster in a substantially horizontal position. Various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A duster having a soft cleaning body formed from fibrous material, feathers and the like, a handle extending from the body, attachment means to assist in attaching the handle to the body, a powered audio device in the attachment means, and a sensor to activate the powered audio device, said sensor activating the powered audio device upon use of the duster. 2. The duster of Claim 1 wherein the powered audio device is a musical device and the sensor is a motion sensor such that movement of the duster causes the musical device to be activated, the sensor being positioned on the duster on, in, or adjacent the ferrule. 3. The duster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a heat sensor, the heat sensor being located in the handle of the duster and in the area normally gripped by a person using the duster.

Inventors: ANDERSEN OLE SCHROLL, ANDERSEN, OLE, SCHROLL
Applicants: ANDERSEN OLE SCHROLL, DANA FLORA PTY LTD, ANDERSEN, OLE, SCHROLL, DANA FLORA PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A47L13
IPC codes: A47L13