Abstract:
An implement, such as, for example, a broom or mop for cleaning, includes a handle and a cleaning feature connected to the handle. The implement also includes a light connected to the implement, a power source of the implement connected to the light, and a switch of the implement for turning on and off the power source for illuminating the light. The power source is, for example, a battery. The power source, switch and light are electrically connected internally within the implement, and the switch is exposed for manual switching and the light is exposed for illuminating an area serviced by the implement. Alternately, the switch is automatically triggered by a servicing occurrence.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to cleaning implements, such as brooms, mops, whisk brooms, coating applicators, and dusters, and, more particularly, relates to illuminating features incorporated in such implements.  
         [0002]     Brooms, mops, dusters, whisk brooms, and the like are conventionally quite standard, basic, and featureless. Improvements to these conventional implements have typically been limited to varied materials, for example, natural straw bristles, cotton or similar materials as mop heads, and wood handles have been replaced with plastics or other synthetics in certain instances. Notwithstanding these limited improvements, the conventional designs for these implements have remained generally unchanged for many years.  
         [0003]     A reason that these conventional designs have remained unchanged is that consumers desire these implements to be fairly inexpensive and primarily functional. In order to limit costs, manufacturers have maintained basic designs, without any significant improvements or new features. Presently, costs for simple electronics have dropped substantially, and requirements to power such electronics have been vastly reduced and miniaturized. For instance, light bulbs, batteries, and circuits have become quite inexpensive to make and maintain. Also, power consumption required for bulbs and circuits, particularly with newer light emitting diodes (LEDs) and similar low-energy lighting components, has been reduced.  
         [0004]     It would, therefore, be a significant improvement in the art and technology to improve cleaning implements, such as brooms, mops, dusters, paint or coating applicators, whisk brooms, and similar devices, to provide lights or illumination sources to the devices. The lights can illuminate an area for service, such as a corner, under a bed, inside cabinets, in car or transportation cabins or compartments, and otherwise. The present invention provides numerous advantages and improvements, including improvements and nuances in the foregoing respects.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An embodiment of the invention is a system for cleaning. The system includes a cleaning element and light connected to the cleaning element.  
         [0006]     Another embodiment of the invention is a broom having a handle and bristles connected to the head. The broom includes a light in the handle, a power source connected to the light, and a switch for turning on and off the power source.  
         [0007]     Yet another embodiment of the invention is a mop having a handle and a mop head connected to the handle. The mop includes a light in the handle, a power source connected to the light, and a switch for turning on and off the power source.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of the invention is an implement comprising a handle and a cleaning feature connected to the handle. A light is connected to the implement.  
         [0009]     Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of using an implement. The method includes connecting a light to the implement.  
         [0010]     Another embodiment of the invention is a method of using an implement. The method includes illuminating by the implement. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of a system for cleaning, incorporating a light, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate side perspective view of a system for cleaning, such as that of  FIG. 1 , incorporating another light, and showing, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a circuit for powering and switching “on” and “off” a light, for example, the lights of the systems of the other Figures herein, according to certain embodiments of the invention  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of a system for cleaning, incorporating a plurality of lights on the side, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative side perspective view of a system for cleaning, such as that of  FIG. 1 , incorporating another plurality of lights, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative system for cleaning, incorporating a light, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side perspective view of another alternative system for cleaning, incorporating a plurality of lights, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side perspective view of yet another system for cleaning, incorporating a light and variable positioning of a switch for operating the light, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative system for cleaning, such as that of  FIG. 7 , incorporating a plurality of lights, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side perspective view of a system for cleaning, incorporating a light, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates another side perspective view of system for cleaning, such as that of  FIG. 9 , incorporating another light, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative system for cleaning, incorporating a light, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a side perspective view of a system for cleaning, incorporating a light in “off” mode and an alternative switch from that of other embodiments and Figures, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12B  illustrates the system for cleaning of  FIG. 12B , incorporating the light in “on” mode and showing activation of the alternative switch by an event, such as movement of the system on a surface, according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cleaning implement  100  comprises a cleaning head  102  connected to a handle  104 . The head  102  comprises a shroud  106  connected to an element  108  for cleaning, for example, broom bristles, mop strings, or duster cloth, or the like. The handle  104  comprises an extension  110  for a human user&#39;s manual hand gripping. The extension  110  connects to the shroud  106 . The implement  100  incorporates therein and connected therewith a light  112 . A switch  114  is connected to and incorporated with the implement  100 , such as in the handle  104  or in the head  102 . The switch  114  is electrically connected to the light  112  via a powered circuit  120  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) supplied by a battery  122  (shown in phantom) or other power source for powering the light  102 .  
         [0027]     In certain embodiments, the shroud  106  is a hood or clamp for retaining the element  108 , and is comprised of plastic, wood, metal, or other substantially rigid material(s). The shroud  106  is formed with an opening from within the shroud  106  to outside the shroud  106 , to accommodate and retain the light  112  pointing in a direction sufficient to illuminate an area of a surface to be cleaned (to be understood as located beyond the latter end of the implement  100  towards the bottom of  FIG. 1 ). The light  112  is either rigidly retained in the shroud  106  in the applicable pointing direction; or, alternatively, a fixture of the light  112  retained in the shroud  106  allows manual pointing of the light  112  as the application requires.  
         [0028]     The element  108  is a plurality of broom bristles, mop strings, or dust cloths, comprised of natural or synthetic materials, retained by the shroud  106  to expose the element  108  to the surface to be cleaned. The handle  104  is a metal or plastic cylinder or other hand grip suitable for handling by the human user via the user&#39;s hand(s), and can include ergonomic or usability features, such as an end cap  118  to prevent scratching and other features. The end cap  118  also serves to retain a battery  120  (shown in phantom) for powering the light  112 . The end cap  118  is internally threaded to mate with an outward thread of an upper end (in  FIG. 1 ) of the extension  110 .  
         [0029]     Within the cylinder of the handle  104  and extending through the handle  104  to within the shroud  106 , an electrical connector or other power conducting wire or cable interconnects the switch  114 , the battery  122 , and the light  112 , and completes the circuit back to the switch  114 . The light  110  is one or more of a filament bulb, light emitting diode (LED), or other illuminator(s). Additionally, the implement  100  can include, incorporated and connected therewith, an external power source (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) for powering the light, if and as required or applicable. The light  112  is, alternately, a fluorescent or other radiating element and does not require any added power source. The power source, where present, is one or more of a DC battery, solar battery, or other source of power sufficient for powering the light  112 . In the case of an external power source, a cord to from electrical outlet or other power supply connects to the implement  100  and the implement includes other electrical components for utilizing such power supply.  
         [0030]     In operation, a human user handles the implement  100  to perform cleaning by directing the element  108  of the head  102  at or across a surface for cleaning, for example, by gripping the extension  110  and moving the implement  100  to cause the element  108  to pass on the surface (e.g., a floor, wall, etc.) to be cleaned. The light  112  of the implement  100  is selectively switched “on” to illuminate and “off” not to illuminate, by the switch  114 . The light  112  is, for example, switched on by the switch  114  when cleaning is performed in a location of low light. The light  112 , when switched on, illuminates an area including a portion of the surface being cleaned via the implement  100 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an implement  200 , similar to that of  FIG. 1 , also includes a second light  102   b  connected to and incorporated in the implement  100  on another side of the implement  100 . For example, a broom or mop typically has two or more cleaning approaches that allow back-and-forth (or other directional) swiping movements in cleaning operations. The second light  112   b  provides illumination of an oppositely (or other directionally) disposed area of the portion of the surface being cleaned. Thus, the implement  200 , including the light  112   b  and the light  112 , illuminates areas of the surface to be cleaned on each side of the implement  200 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 2B , in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a circuit  250  (such as the powered circuit  120  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) for powering the light  112  of the implement  100 , and the light  112  and light  112   b  of the implement  200 , is disposed within the implement  100 ,  200 , respectively. The circuit  250  comprises the switch  114  electrically connected to the light  112  of the implement  100  of  FIG. 1 . The switch  252  is also electrically connected, either in parallel or series as appropriate, to any other light, such as each of the lights  112  and  112   b  of the implement  200  of  FIG. 2 . The light  112  (or lights  112 ,  112   b , where more than one) is electrically connected to a power source  254 , for example, the battery  122  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The power source  254  is retained within the extension  110  or shroud  106  of the implement  100 ,  200 , or is otherwise connected thereto. As previously described, the power source  254  is the battery  122  or other DC source.  
         [0033]     Alternately, an AC power source can provide power to the light(s); however, additional appropriate electrical components (for example, appropriate ground, transformer, etc.) are included in the implement  100 ,  200  or external thereto. In other embodiments, the power source  254  is a rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeable battery; and suitable electrical components, such as an electrical cord connector and a recharging unit, are incorporated with and connected to the implement (or are available external to the implement and are connectable thereto), as desired for the design.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an implement  300  includes more than one light  312  (e.g., three lights shown as example in  FIG. 3 ) on a side of the implement  300 . The implement  300  is substantially like the implements  100 ,  200  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; however, the powered circuit (not shown in detail) connects the more than one light  312  and the switch  114  powers on and off all or certain of the lights. The more than one light  312  are directed as desired to illuminate a surface to be cleaned.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an implement  400 , for example, an opposing side of a device like that of  FIG. 1 , also includes more than one light  312   b  (e.g., three lights shown as example in  FIG. 3 ) on another side of the implement  400 . The powered circuit (not shown in detail) connects the more than one light  312  and the more than one light  312   b  on the opposing side of the implement  400 , and the switch  114  powers on and off all or certain of the lights. The more than one light  312   b  are also directed as desired to illuminate a surface to be cleaned, such as is applicable for back-and-forth cleaning movements. Although a two-position switch is described as the switch  114  in connection with implements of certain Figures herein, in the case of implements with more than one light, it is to be understood that the switch could include multiple alternatives of “on” and “off” as to lights on a side or sides of the implements and/or as to specific lights of the implements. Those skilled in the art will know and understand that the powered circuit, as well as the power supply and features of the circuit, must be configured and arranged and include appropriate components for each desired configuration and operation.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another implement  500  also includes an extension  510  connected to a shroud  506 . The shroud  506  connects to a cleaning element  508 , such as broom bristles. The extension  510  includes a connected switch  514  and the shroud includes a connected light  512 . The switch  514  operates the light  512 , via a circuit (not shown in detail) and power source of the circuit (not shown in detail).  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an implement  600 , similar to the implement of  FIG. 5  but with multiple lights  612  in the shroud  606 , provides additional light sources for illumination. The implements  500  (of  FIG. 5 ) and  600  are exemplary of a pushable-pullable cleaning device.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an implement  700  includes an extension  710  connected to a shroud  706 , retaining protruding cleaning elements  708 . The shroud  706  is formed to accommodate and retain a light  712 . The extension  710  includes an incorporated power switch  714 , for example, near a location of the extension  710  close to the connection of the extension  710  to the shroud  706 . The light  712  electrically connects to the switch  714  and a power source (not shown in detail).  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , another implement  800 , for example, a pushable-pullable type device, includes an extension  810  connected to a shroud  806 . The shroud  806  is connected to and retains a cleaning element  808 . The shroud  806  retains more than one light  812 , each positioned to illuminate a surface for cleaning. A power switch  814  is incorporated in and connected to the extension  810  near the shroud  806 . The more than one light  812  are electrically connected to the switch  814  and a power source (not shown in detail).  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a different implement  900 , for example, a mop, has a handle extension  910  connected to a head  908 , such as strings or yarn, via a connector  906 . The handle extension  910  is connected to and incorporated with a power switch  914  and a light  912 . The power switch  914  is disposed in an ergonomically suitable location along the handle extension  910  for a user&#39;s manual operation. The light  912  is located along the handle extension  910  at a location thereof suitable for the light  912  to illuminate an area for cleaning. The light  912  is electrically connected to the switch  914  and a power source (not shown in detail) in order to complete an on/off circuit for operating the light  912 .  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in conjunction with  FIG. 9 , another side of an implement  1000 , such as the implement  900  of  FIG. 9 , also includes an additional light  1012  (although two lights  912 ,  1012  are shown in the implement, multiple lights, beyond two lights, can be included in the implement  1000 , with appropriate or desired positioning along the handle extension  910  in order to direct light to a desired area or surface for cleaning). A power circuit, including the switch  914 , a power source (not shown in detail), and the light  1012  (and other lights, e.g., light  912 , etc.), interconnects these elements for desired on/off operations of the light(s).  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , another cleaning implement  1100 , such as a Swiffer™, scraper, painter, or other cleaning element and surface, also includes a light  1112  (or lights, as the case may be). As with the implements previously described, the implement  1100  includes a handle  1110  connected to a cleaning head  1106  and cleaning fixture  1108 . The implement  1100  also can, but need not necessarily, include a reservoir  1105 , connected to the handle  1110  or otherwise to connect to the fixture  1108  and supply a cleaning substance, for example, soap, paint, or other solid, liquid or gas substance. The light  1112  is incorporated and fixed in the handle  1110  (or, alternatively, at another location of the implement  1100 ) suitable to illuminate a surface subject to cleaning, painting or other utility operations. Although a single one of the light  1112  is shown, multiple lights and similar orientation are included. Also as with the implements previously described, the switch  1114  electrically connects to the light  1112  and a power source (not shown), and the light  1112  is desirably switchable on and off via the switch  1114  for use of the implement  1100 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , an alternative implement  1200  includes a trigger switch  1214  (shown in phantom). This switch  1214  turns “on” whenever a pressure or manipulation occurs to a cleaning element  1208 . The implement  1200  has a handle  120 , connected to a shroud  1206 , and the shroud  1206  retains connected thereto the cleaning element  1208 . Retained in and connected to the shroud  1206  is a light  1212  (i.e., a single light or more than one light, as applicable and desired). A trigger feature  1214   a  of the switch  1214  touches or is otherwise associatedly related or configured to operate “on” whenever the cleaning element  1208  is employed in cleaning operations. For example, when the implement  1200  is not in use for cleaning, the light  1212  is “off” because the cleaning element  1208  is not in contact with a cleaning surface as in  FIG. 12A ; however, whenever the cleaning element  1208  contacts the cleaning surface, as in  FIG. 12B , the switch  1214  is switched “on” and the light  1212  illuminates. The switch  1214  is any of a wide variety of switch possibilities, wherein a pressure, force, movement, or other event (e.g., downward push in the direction of arrow A) as to the cleaning element  1208  causes the switch  1214  to be triggered and turned “on”. As in the prior descriptions of the various other implements and embodiments, the switch  1214  is connected to the light  1212  and each is electrically connected to a power source  1222  by a circuit  1220 . The power source  1222  can be a battery or other source, either internal or external to the implement  1200 . An access cap  1218  permits access to the power source  1222  and/or other internals of the implement  1200  as configured and desired for the particular use application.  
         [0044]     Other alternatives are possible in keeping with the foregoing and all such alternatives are included herein. For example, a handle or extension of an implement can be significantly foreshortened, such as with a wisk broom or the like, or bent, shaped or otherwise configured. Moreover, a shroud or other connector for the cleaning element can, itself, serve as a handle. The shroud can be any of a wide variety of mechanisms that serve to retain a cleaning element. The shroud can be formed with the cleaning element, such that the shroud and cleaning element are a unitary piece. A wide variety of materials are possible for the implements. Additionally, a wide variety of lights and similar illumination elements are possible and all are included. External and internal power sources and supplies are incorporable. Replaceable elements, including lights, cleaning element, handle, battery, circuitry, switch or trigger, and other parts and units can be included. Moreover, the particular aspects of switch operations, including the design and method, means or mode of operations thereof, are variable and include all possibilities for every included application and use.  
         [0045]     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0046]     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.