Abstract:
A caddy having a socket shaped to receive the scrubbing end portion of a cleaning implement such as a brush when the implement is being stored, particularly including the type of cleaning implement having a long handle that is used for cleaning toilet bowls or the like that is commonly used and stored in bathrooms. The cooperating shapes of the cleaning and a socket in the caddy allow storage of the cleaning implement or brush either with the long handle of the cleaning implement projecting upwardly in the conventional manner, or with its long handle extending generally horizontally, thereby facilitating storage of the caddy containing the cleaning implement in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to caddies having sockets for receiving the scrubbing end portions of cleaning implements (e.g., brushes) when the cleaning implement is being stored, particularly including such caddies for storing the types of cleaning implements with long handles used for cleaning toilet bowls or the like that are commonly used and stored in bathrooms. 
   BACKGROUND 
   The art is replete with caddies having sockets for receiving the scrubbing end portions of cleaning implements (e.g., brushes) when the cleaning implements are being stored, particularly including such caddies for storing the types of cleaning implements with long handles used for cleaning toilet bowls or the like that are commonly used and stored in bathrooms. U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 345,271; 297,292; 329,775; 276,291; 298,712; 315,269; 400,748; and 291,039; U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,456; and International Publication No. WO 01/60200 A1 provide illustrative examples. Typically, such caddies store the cleaning implement with the handle of the cleaning implement projecting generally vertically upwardly which is convenient for retrieving the cleaning implement when it is to be used, but which, because of the length of the handle and overall length of the cleaning implement (e.g., 16+ inches or 40+ centimeters), makes the caddy and cleaning implement combination inconvenient to store in storage cabinets of the type typically found in bathrooms. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a caddy having a socket for receiving an end portion of a cleaning implement (e.g., a brush) when the cleaning implement is being stored, particularly including the type of cleaning implement or brush having a long handle portion that is used for cleaning toilet bowls or the like and is commonly used and stored in bathrooms. The caddy allows storage of the cleaning implement with the long handle portion of the cleaning implement projecting upwardly in the conventional manner, and also allows the storage of the cleaning implement with its long handle portion extending generally horizontally, thereby facilitating storage of the caddy containing the cleaning implement in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms (e.g., a vanity) which may be desirable or necessary, for example, for aesthetic reasons or to keep the cleaning implement away from children. 
   According to the present invention there is provided a caddy for storing a cleaning implement, which cleaning implement comprises an elongate support member including a generally straight support end portion and a handle end portion. Ends of the support and handle end portions are fixed together with the support end portion and the handle end portion disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to each other (e.g., about 153 degrees). A part of the handle end portion adjacent its end opposite the support end portion is adapted for manual engagement. The cleaning implement includes scrubbing members (e.g., bristles or randomly disposed mineral coated fibers) having inner end parts supported on (e.g., imbedded in) the support end portion. Outer portions of some of the scrubbing members define a convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion (e.g., a convex generally semi-spherical end peripheral surface) extending about 180 degrees around the end of the support end portion opposite the handle end portion. Outer portions of other scrubbing members further define a convex arcuate side peripheral surface (e.g., a convex semi cylindrical side peripheral surface) extending from that convex end peripheral surface toward the handle portion along the side of the support end portion. The caddy comprises walls having a supported surface adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, and has receiving surfaces defining a socket adapted to receive and support the scrubbing members on the support end portion of the support member. Those receiving surfaces include a concave arcuate side surface (e.g., a concave semi-cylindrical side surface) adapted to support the convex side peripheral surface portion defined by the scrubbing members, which concave arcuate side surface has an axis disposed at an acute angle (e.g., about 55 degrees) with respect to the supported surface, and extends from an inlet end of the socket toward the supported surface. The receiving surfaces further include a concave arcuate end surface (e.g., a generally semi-spherical end surface) at the innermost end of the socket adapted to support the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion defined by the scrubbing members. The cleaning implement can either be (1) positioned in the socket in a vertical storage position with the portions of the scrubbing members defining the convex end peripheral surface portion resting against the concave arcuate end receiving surface, with the portions of the scrubbing members defining the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion resting against the concave arcuate side surface, and with the handle portion outside of the socket and projecting generally normally away from the supported surface of the caddy (i.e., projecting generally vertically upwardly if the supported surface is supported on a horizontal surface); or (2) positioned in the socket in a horizontal storage position with the convex end peripheral surface portion defined by the scrubbing members resting against the concave arcuate end surface, with the support portion resting against the caddy at the inlet end of the socket, and with the handle portion outside of the socket and projecting away from the caddy generally parallel to the supported surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a combination of a cleaning implement or brush and a caddy according to the present invention in which the brush is positioned in the caddy in a vertical storage position with a handle portion of the brush outside of the caddy and projecting generally vertically upwardly away from the caddy; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combination of  FIG. 1  in which the brush is positioned in the caddy in a horizontal storage position with a handle portion of the brush outside of the caddy and projecting generally horizontally away from the caddy; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of the brush included in the combination of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged top view of the brush included in the combination of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the caddy according to the present invention included in the combination of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of the caddy included in the combination of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line  10 — 10  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional side view of the brush caddy according to the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-10  in combination with a second embodiment of a cleaning implement or brush in which the brush is positioned in the caddy in a horizontal storage position with a handle portion of the brush outside of the caddy and projecting generally horizontally away from the caddy; 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional side view of the caddy according to the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-10  in combination with a third embodiment of a cleaning implement in which the cleaning implement is positioned in the caddy in a vertical storage position with a handle portion of the cleaning implement outside of the caddy and projecting generally vertically upwardly away from the caddy; 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional side view of the caddy according to the present invention in combination with the third embodiment of the cleaning implement shown in  FIG. 12  in which the cleaning implement is positioned in the caddy in a horizontal storage position with a handle portion of the cleaning implement outside of the caddy and projecting generally horizontally away from the caddy; and 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of the cleaning implement shown in FIGS.  12  and  13 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 10  of the drawing, there is shown a combination  10  according to the present invention including a first embodiment of a cleaning implement or brush  12  and a caddy  14  according to the present invention. 
   Generally, the brush  12  (best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) comprises a stiff elongate support member  16  of a polymeric material (e.g., polypropylene). The support member  16  includes a generally straight support end portion  18  having opposite first and second ends  19  and  20 , and a handle end portion  22  having opposite first and second ends  23  and  24 . The second ends  20  and  24  of the support and handle end portions  18  and  22  are fixed together (e.g., integrally molded together as illustrated) with the support end portion  18  and the handle end portion  22  disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to each other about a first axis  26  (e.g., as illustrated that obtuse angle is about 153 degrees between the centerline of the support end portion  18  and a straight line extending between the ends  23  and  24  of the handle end portion  22 ). A part of the handle end portion  22  adjacent its first end  23  is adapted for manual engagement and may, as illustrated, have adhered thereto a thin layer  27  of a non-slip material such as a colored thermoplastic rubber having a decorative outline. The brush  12  includes scrubbing members or bristles  28  (e.g., stiff fibers of polypropylene) having inner end parts supported on (e.g., imbedded in) the support end portion  18 . Outer potions or ends of some of the bristles  28  at the first end  19  of the support end portion  18  define a convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  (e.g., a convex semi-spherical end peripheral surface portion  30  as illustrated) extending about 180 degrees around the first end  19  of the support end portion  18 . Outer portions or ends of other bristles  28  along the support end portion  18  further define a convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  (e.g., a convex semi-cylindrical side peripheral surface portion  32  as illustrated) extending from the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  toward the second end  20  of the support portion  18  about 180 degrees around the side of the support end portion  18  opposite the obtuse angle at which the support end portion  18  and the handle end portion  22  are disposed about the axis  26 . The support end portion  18  is free of bristles along a part  33  of the support end portion  18  opposite the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  defined by the bristles  28  and adjacent the second end  20  of the support end portion  18 . 
   The caddy  14  according to the present invention, best seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 , is a unitary molding of a polymeric material (e.g., polypropylene) comprising walls having a supported edge surface  40  in a plane adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface. The caddy  14  also has receiving surfaces defining a socket  42  in the caddy  14  adapted to receive and support the bristles  28  and the support end portion  18  of the brush  12 . Those receiving surfaces include a concave arcuate side surface  44  adjacent the edge surface  40  (e.g., a concave semi-cylindrical side surface  44  as illustrated) adapted to conform to and support the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  defined by the outer ends of the bristles  28 . That concave arcuate side surface  44  has a longitudinal axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis or centerline  43  of the socket  42 ) disposed at an acute angle (e.g., about 55 degrees as illustrated) with respect to the plane of the supported edge surface  40  and extending from an inlet end  45  of the socket  42  toward the plane of the supported edge surface  40 . The receiving surfaces defining the socket  42  further including a concave arcuate end surface  46  (e.g., a concave semi-spherical end surface  46  as illustrated) defining the end of the socket  42  opposite its inlet end  45  adapted to conform to and support the convex arcuate peripheral surface portion  30  defined by the outer ends of the bristles  28 . 
   The brush  12  can be received and stored in the socket  42  of the caddy  14  in a first or vertical storage position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9  with the ends of the bristles  28  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  of the brush  12  resting against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42 , with the ends of the bristles defining the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  of the brush supported against the concave arcuate side surface  32  so that the centerline of the socket  42  is aligned with the centerline of the support end portion  18 , and with the handle portion  22  of the brush  12  outside of the socket  42  in the caddy  14  and projecting generally normally away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  so that if the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is supported on a horizontal surface such as the floor of a bathroom, the handle end portion  22  will project generally vertically upwardly. Alternatively, the brush  12  can be received and stored in the socket  42  in a second or horizontal storage position illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 10  with the ends of the bristles  28  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  of the brush supported against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42  in the caddy  14 , with the bristle free part  33  of the support end portion  18  opposite the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  supported against the caddy  14  at the inlet end  45  of the socket  42  so that the centerline of the support end portion  18  is at an angle of about 23 degrees with respect to the axis or centerline  43  of the socket  42 , and with the handle end portion  22  outside of the socket  42  and projecting away from the caddy  14  generally parallel to the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14 . In this horizontal storage position, the maximum height of the brush  12  above the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is significantly less than its maximum height in the vertical storage position (e.g., about 4.5 inches or 11.4 cm compared to about 16 inches or 40.6 cm) and less than the height of the caddy  14  (i.e., about 5.8 inches or 14.7 cm) so that the caddy  14  with the brush  12  in it has a height that facilitates storage of the caddy  14  containing the brush  12  in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms (e.g., a vanity). 
   When, as illustrated, the longitudinal central axis  43  of the socket  42  is disposed at an acute angle of about 55 degrees with respect to the plane of the supported edge surface  40 , and the support end portion  18  and the handle end portion  22  of the brush are disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to each other about the first axis  26  of about 153 degrees measured between the centerline of the support end portion  18  and a straight line extending between the ends  23  and  24  of the handle end portion  22 , in the vertical storage position described above the handle portion  22  of the brush  12  projects away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  at an angle of about 82 degrees which is considered generally normal with respect to the supported edge surface  40 , as would be considered angles of greater than about 70 degrees. In the horizontal storage position described above in which centerline of the support end portion  18  is at an angle of about 23 degrees with respect to the centerline or axis  43  of the socket  42  or about 32 degrees with respect to the supported edge surface  40 , the handle portion  22  of the brush  12  projects at an angle of about away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  at an angle of about 4 degrees which is considered generally parallel with respect to the supported edge surface  40 , as would be considered angles of less than about 15 degrees. 
   The caddy  14  includes means for restricting rotation of the support end portion  18  about the axis of the socket  42  when the bristles  28  and the support end portion  18  are in the socket  42  in the vertical storage position described above. That means for restricting rotation as illustrated comprises spaced thin locating members or plates  50  having parallel side surfaces parallel to the axis of the socket  42  that project into the socket  42 . The locating plates  50  are received between end portions of the bristles  28  when the bristles  28  and the support end portion  18  are within the socket  42  in the vertical storage position at which, if the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is supported on a horizontal surface such as the floor of a bathroom, the handle end portion  22  will project generally vertically upwardly. Engagement of end portions of the bristles  28  against the side surfaces of the locating plates  50  will then restrict rotation of the support end portion  18  about the axis of the socket  42  under the influence of the weight of the handle end portion  22 ; which rotation, if it occurred, could cause the handle end portion  22  to move to a lower position out of its upwardly projecting position. The locating members could have shapes other than that illustrated, such as triangular or semi oval cross sections, and should have shapes that easily separate the bristles and allow movement of the separated bristles along opposite sides of the locating members  50 . 
   As illustrated, the convex end peripheral surface portion  30  defined by the outer ends of the bristles  28  and the concave end surface  46  of the caddy  14  against which that peripheral surface  30  is supported when the brush is in the caddy  14  are both semi-spherical; and the convex side peripheral surface portion  32  defined by the outer ends of the bristles  28  and the concave side surface  44  of the caddy  14  against which that side peripheral surface  32  is supported when the brush is in the caddy  14  in the vertical storage position described above are both semi-cylindrical. Those surfaces  30 ,  46 ,  32 , and  44  have been described as arcuate to include the possibility that those surfaces  30 ,  46 ,  32 , and  44  could be other than truly semi-spherical or semi-cylindrical, but could have other regular or irregular curved shapes. 
   When the surfaces and surface portions  30 ,  46 ,  32 , and  44  are truly semi-spherical or semi-cylindrical as illustrated, the brush  12  can be received and stored in the socket  42  of the caddy  14  in many optional positions in addition to the first and horizontal storage positions described above with the handle end portion  22  extending over any portion of the inlet end  45  of the socket  42 . With the handle end portion  22  projecting over portions of the inlet end  45  of the socket within about 45 degrees around the inlet end  45  of the socket in either direction from its position in the vertical storage position ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9 ), the ends of the bristles  28  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  of the brush  12  will rest against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42 , and the ends of the bristles defining the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32  of the brush  12  will be at least partially supported against the concave arcuate side surface  32  as in the vertical storage position. With the handle end portion  22  projecting over portions of the inlet end  45  of the socket within about 135 degrees in either direction around the inlet end  45  of the socket from its position in the horizontal storage position ( FIGS. 2 and 10 ) the ends of the bristles  28  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30  of the brush will be supported against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42  in the caddy  14 , and the bristle free part  33  of the support end portion  18  opposite the convex arcuate side peripheral surface  32  will be supported against the caddy  14  at the inlet end  45  of the socket  42  as in the horizontal storage position. The handle end portion  22  will be outside of the socket  42  projecting away from the caddy  14  in various directions in those optional positions, one of which directions, under certain circumstances, may provide an advantage for locating or storing the caddy  14  and brush  12 . In any of those optional positions engagement of end portions of the bristles  28  against the side surfaces of the locating members or plates  50  will restrict rotation of the support end portion  18  about the axis of the socket  42  under the influence of the weight of the handle end portion  22 . 
   As is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the caddy  14  could be used to receive a second embodiment of a cleaning implement or brush  12   a  (parts of the brush  12   a  that correspond to parts of the brush  12  have been given the same reference numeral to which has been added the suffix “a”) having about the same configuration as the brush  12  except that the support end portion  18   a  has bristles supported on or embedded in the part  33   a  of the support end portion  18   a  opposite the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32   a  defined by the bristles  28   a  and adjacent the second end  20   a  of the support end portion  18   a . A vertical storage position for the brush  12   a  (not illustrated) will be essentially the same as the vertical storage position for the brush  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9  at which the ends of the bristles  28   a  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30   a  of the brush  12   a  rest against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42 , with the ends of the bristles  28   a  defining the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32   a  of the brush  12   a  supported against the concave arcuate side surface  32  so that the centerline or axis  43  of the socket  42  is about aligned with the centerline of the support end portion  18   a , and the handle portion  22   a  of the brush  12   a  is outside of the socket  42   a  in the caddy  14  and projects generally normally away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  so that if the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is supported on a horizontal surface such as the floor of a bathroom, the handle end portion  22   a  will project generally vertically upwardly. Alternatively, the brush  12   a  can be received and stored in the socket  42  in a horizontal storage position illustrated in  FIG. 11  with the ends of the bristles  28   a  defining the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  30   a  of the brush  12   a  supported against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42  in the caddy  14 , and with the bristles along the part  33   a  of the support end portion  18   a  opposite the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portion  32   a  supported against the concave arcuate side surface  44  adjacent the edge surface  40  so that the centerline of the support end portion  18   a  is about aligned with the centerline of the socket  42   a , and the handle end portion  22   a  is outside of the socket  42   a  and projecting away from the caddy  14   a  at an angle of about 23 degrees with respect to the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14 . In this horizontal storage position for the brush  12   a , the maximum height of the brush  12   a  above the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is still significantly less than its maximum height in the vertical storage position (e.g., about 10 inches or 25.4 cm compared to about 16 inches or 40.6 cm) and, while more than the height of the caddy  14  (i.e., about 5.8 inches or 14.7 cm), still may be sufficiently low that it facilitates storage of the caddy  14  containing the brush  12   a  in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms (e.g., a vanity). 
   In the horizontal storage position described above in which centerline of the support end portion  18   a  is along the centerline of the socket  42  or at about 55 degrees with respect to the supported edge surface portion  40 , the handle portion  22  of the brush  12  projects away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  at an angle of about 28 degrees which for such a handle portion  22 , is considered roughly parallel with respect to the supported edge surface  40  as would be considered angles of less than about 30 degrees. 
   As is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the caddy  14  could be used to receive a third embodiment of a cleaning implement  60  (see also  FIG. 14 ) such as the cleaning implement  60  commercially designated as a “SCOTCH BRITE” (trade mark) One Scrub, that has been commercially available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn., for many years. That cleaning implement  60  comprises an elongate support member  61  including a generally straight support end portion  62  having opposite first and second ends  63  and  64 , and a handle end portion  66  having opposite first and second ends  67  and  68 . The second ends  64  and  68  of the support and handle end portions  61  and  66  are fixed together (e.g., by being integrally molded) with the support end portion  62  and the handle end portion  66  disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to each other about a first axis  70  (e.g., that obtuse angle is about 156 degrees between the centerline of the support end portion  18  and a straight line extending between the ends  67  and  68  of the handle end portion  66 ). A part of the handle end portion  66  adjacent its first end  67  is adapted for manual engagement. The cleaning implement includes a pad  72  of scrubbing members in the form of randomly disposed spaced polymeric fibers (e.g., of polyester) bonded together with a resin (e.g., polyurethane) at points where the fibers contact each other and coated with mineral (e.g., the “SCOTCH BRITE” (trade mark) scrubbing material commercially available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.), which fibers have inner parts supported on the support end portion  61  which has barbs  65  engaged with the fibers to hold the pad  72  on the support end portion  61 . The pad  72  has an outer surface defined by portions of the scrubbing members opposite those inner parts that includes a convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  76  extending about 180 degrees around the first end  63  of the support end portion  61 , and opposite convex arcuate side peripheral surface portions  78  extending from that convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  76  toward the second end  64  of the support end portion  62 , which end and side peripheral surface portions  76  and  78  extend between opposite planar parallel top and bottom surface portions  79  and  80  of the pad  72 . 
   At a vertical storage position for the cleaning implement  60  illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the end peripheral surface portion  76  defined by the scrubbing members will rest against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42 , and the convex arcuate side peripheral surface portions  78  will engage the concave arcuate side surface  32  and the locating members  50  so that the centerline of the support end portion  18   a  is about aligned with the centerline  43  of the socket  42 , and the handle end portion  66  of the cleaning implement  60  is outside of the socket  42  in the caddy  14  and projects generally normally away from the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  so that if the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is supported on a horizontal surface such as the floor of a bathroom, the handle end portion  22   a  will project generally vertically upwardly. Alternatively, the cleaning implement  60  can be received and stored in the socket  42  in a horizontal storage position illustrated in  FIG. 13  with the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portion  76  defined by the scrubbing members supported against the concave arcuate end surface  46  defining the inner end of the socket  42  in the caddy  14 , and with the support member  61  supported against the caddy  14  at the inlet end  45  of the socket  42  so that the centerline of the support end portion  62  is at an angle of about 23 degrees with respect to the centerline or axis  43  of the socket  42 , and with the handle end portion  66  outside of the socket  42  and projecting away from the caddy  14  generally parallel to the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14 . In this horizontal storage position, the maximum height of the cleaning implement  60  above the supported edge surface  40  of the caddy  14  is significantly less than its maximum height in the vertical storage position (e.g., about 6 inches or 15 cm compared to about 16 inches or 40.6 cm) and about the height of the caddy  14  (i.e., about 5.8 inches or 14.7 cm) so that the caddy  14  with the cleaning implement  60  in it has a height that facilitates storage of the caddy containing the brush in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms (e.g., a vanity). 
   The caddy  14  according to the present invention has now been described with reference to one embodiment and in combination with several cleaning implements  12 ,  12   a  and  60  together with several possible modifications thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments and combinations described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the convex arcuate end peripheral surface portions  30  defined by the outer ends of the bristles  28  of the brush  12  and the arcuate concave end surface  46  of the caddy  14  against which that peripheral surface  30  is supported when the brush  12  is in the caddy  14  instead of being truly semi-spherical could have a central semi-cylindrical portion around an axis parallel to the axis  26  which could limit storage positions of the brush within the caddy  14  to the first and horizontal storage positions described above and could provide the means for restricting rotation of the support end portion  18  about the axis  43  of the socket  42  when the bristles  28  and the support end portion  18  are in the socket  42  in the vertical storage position. Also, to further limit the height between the supported surface  40  and the highest point of the caddy  14  or the brush  12  in the horizontal storage position, an upper part of the caddy  14  above about a horizontal line  52  shown in  FIG. 10  could be removed as the portion of the socket  42  defined by surfaces above that line  52  make no contact with the bristles  28  of the brush  12  in either the first or second storage portions. Also, the caddy  14  could be provided with a wall along its side  90  having a planer surface disposed at a right angle with respect to the supporting edge surface  40 , which wall could have an opening for receiving a hook or the like by which the caddy  14  could be hung on a wall. Additionally, a cover could be provided over the inlet end  45  of the socket  42 , which cover could be slotted to facilitate positioning the cleaning implements  12 ,  12   a  or  60  in either their vertical or horizontal storage positions. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by the structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents thereof.