Abstract:
The invention is an adjustable wire brush tool for cleaning either the inside or the outside end of a copper pipe or fitting in preparation for soldering the parts together. The tool includes a hollow cylindrical section with a first wire brush on the interior surface of the section. Attached at one end of the cylindrical section is a slightly smaller cylindrical section sized to hold a second cylindrical twisted steel brush having a hexagonal shaft that extends from the smaller section, opposite the larger cylindrical section. The twisted steel brush and attached shaft can be moved to extend the twisted brush beyond the open end of the larger cylindrical section, for insertion into a fitting to clean the fitting interior surface by attaching a power drill to the shaft and rotating the twisted steel brush attached thereto. To clean the outside of a pipe, the twist brush is retracted into the smaller section and secured to that section with an engaging means. The pipe is inserted into the larger section, and the drill is activated to rotate the shaft and attached larger section to clean the pipe outer surface. The tool overcomes the need for separate tools to perform each task and requires but one drill to perform either task as needed. The tool is sized to handle a particular diameter of pipe and fitting, with sizes ranging from one quarter inch to several inches.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of utility application Ser. No. 09/680,539, filed Oct. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,645. application Ser. No. 09/680,539 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY 
     Not applicable. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for cleaning pipe or tubing and fittings for soldering or brazing. More particularly, it relates to an adjustable device for abrading copper or brass tubing and fittings, using wire brushes, to remove oxides and contaminants preparatory to soldering or brazing. 
     2. Background Information 
     Soldering or brazing of pipe or tubing requires that the joined surfaces of the pipe and fittings be thoroughly cleaned of organic and inorganic contaminants before be wetted by the molten solder or brazing alloy. This cleaning is mandatory to form sound joints which are free of porosity and voids and which do not leak. 
     Organic contaminants, such as grease or oil, are removed by wiping the item with a solvent appropriate for removal of the organic contaminants. Inorganic contaminants, such as oxides or scale, are physically removed by rubbing the item with dry steel wool, emery cloth or wire brushes. Motor driven brushes or emery cloth are also commonly used. 
     Proper cleaning of joint members prior to soldering or brazing is essential in order to economically form sound joints. Clean joint surfaces can be rapidly soldered or brazed using a minimum of heat, flux, and filler alloy. These economies of time, energy, and materials more than offset the cost of proper cleaning. 
     Manual cleaning of a large number of tube/fitting joint components can become tedious and time consuming and can, thus, lead to operator inattention and error. Motor driven physical abrasion means clearly can eliminate tedium and permit rapid and effective cleaning of large numbers of joint components. 
     A number of patents have issued for tools for cleaning pipe threads, or pipes and fittings, prior to connecting the various parts. Toelke, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,003, describes a powered pipe thread cleaner with a housing having driven brushes. The device includes brushes inside and outside the pipe. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,448, True discloses another powered thread cleaner with adjustable arms that have brushes. The system is designed to fit various sized pipes by adjusting the arms. 
     Roberts, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,127, describes a thread cleaning device with a clamp for securing the pipe and radial brushes that are adjustable to fit various sized pipes. In the device shown one set of brushes cleans internal threads and another set of brushes cleans external threads. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,892, Ross discloses a device for cleaning male and female electrical connectors using one or more brushes. The brushes are configured for insertion into connector orifices. 
     Miner, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,444, discloses a pipe thread cleaner assembly that includes at least one rotating brush that revolves around the outside of the pipe and at least one brush that rotates inside the pipe. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,549, Criswell et al. disclose a device for cleaning pipes or fittings, including an internal brush for cleaning of fittings and an external brush for cleaning of pipe, prior to soldering or brazing. Both brushes are provided in a single tool so that either tube or fitting can be cleaned without changing or reversing the tool. A drive socket is provided on the brush holder shell to permit manual or motor driven operation. Both brushes are fixed, so cleaning the exterior of a pipe or fitting requires the inside be cleaned, as well. 
     Guidry et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,802, describe a pipe thread cleaner having cleaning heads with rotating thread brushes driven by motors on the heads. Separate heads for the box and pin ends have splash shrouds with gaskets to bear on pipe surfaces. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,534, Miller discloses a multi-purpose rotary pipe or tubing cleaner specially adapted for cleaning copper pipe and fittings for sweat soldering joints. The device has rotary internal and external brushes and an internal reamer. Note the separate chucks for each brush of FIG. 2 and the separate brushes required in FIGS. 3-6. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,173 by White describes a pair of electrical motors each with a shaft and a brush on the shaft. One brush is for the interior and one is for the exterior of pipes or fittings. Carter, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,370 discloses a pipe cleaner attachment with a housing having a shuttle guide slidably mounted therein. A pair of brush levers are pivotally mounted in brush guide slots. A reamer is also included in the device. 
     Thus, there exists an unmet need for a simple device that can quickly yet selectively clean either the inside or the outside of tubing or fittings prior to joining of the components by soldering or brazing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to an adjustable fitting and pipe cleaning brush device. The brush device includes a hollow cylindrical member having an interior and exterior surface, the hollow cylindrical member including a first cylindrical section of selected diameter and having an open end, a second cylindrical section of diameter less than the first cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section joined to the first cylindrical section opposite the open end thereof, and a closed end third cylindrical section of diameter less than the second cylindrical section, the closed end third cylindrical section joined to the second cylindrical section opposite the first cylindrical section, the third cylindrical section having an axial aperture there through. The second cylindrical section includes at least one linear rib member extending radially from an inner surface thereof, the rib member adapted for preventing entry into the second cylindrical section of a pipe inserted into the first cylindrical section. An outer wire brush member is circumferentially positioned on the cylindrical member interior surface of the first cylindrical section and adjacent the open end thereof, the outer brush member having an axial aperture there through. An inner wire brush member is connected at one end to a linear shaft member, the inner brush member fitting within the second cylindrical section between the outer brush member and the third cylindrical section closed end thereof, with the linear shaft member extending through the third cylindrical section closed end axial aperture and axially moveable therein. An engaging means secures the shaft member to the cylindrical member closed end for transferring rotational movement from the shaft member to the hollow cylindrical member. The inner brush member and attached shaft member are axially extendable through the outer brush member aperture to position the inner brush member beyond the cylindrical member open end with the shaft member maintained within the axial aperture of the cylindrical member closed end. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the adjustable brush device of the present invention with the inner brush member extended. 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of one embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention with the inner brush member extended. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hollow cylindrical member of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of an embodiment of the hollow cylindrical member of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the inner brush member and attached linear shaft member of the adjustable brush device of the present invention 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of the inner brush member of the adjustable brush device of the present invention 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective end view of a further embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a see-through view of the embodiment of the adjustable brush device of FIG. 12 of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view further embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the circular plate portion of the adjustable brush device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Nomenclature 
       10  Adjustable Brush Device 
       20  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       22  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       24  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       26  Open End of Cylindrical Member 
       28  Closed End of Cylindrical Member 
       30  Axial Aperture in Closed End 
       40  Outer Brush Member 
       45  Axial Aperture in Outer Brush 
       50  Inner Brush Member 
       55  Linear Shaft Member 
       60  Shaft Engaging Means 
       62  Set Screw Member 
       64  Threaded Aperture 
       66  Flat Surface of Shaft Member 
       70  Splined Axial Aperture in Closed End 
       72  Splined Linear Shaft Member 
       80  Stop Means 
       82  Biasing Means 
       84  Channel of Shaft Member 
       86  Spring Clop Member 
       90  Knurled Ridge Member 
       120  Hollow Cylindrical Member 
       122  Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       124  Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 
       126  Open End of Cylindrical Member 
       128  Closed End of Cylindrical Member 
       130  Axial Aperture in Closed End 
       150  First Cylindrical Section 
       155  Second Cylindrical Section 
       160  Cylindrical Closed End Section 
       170  First Linear Rib Members 
       180  Second Linear Rib Member 
       185  Circular Plate Member 
       190  Aperture in Circular Plate Member 
       195  Interior Channel in Surface of First Cylindrical Portion 
     Construction 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of the adjustable fitting and pipe cleaning brush device  10  is shown. The cleaning brush device  10  includes a hollow cylindrical member  20  having an interior surface  22  and exterior surface  24 , with an open end  26  and a closed end  28  having an axial aperture  30  there through. The hollow cylindrical member  20  may be fabricated from metal or polymeric resin such as polycarbonate. 
     An outer wire brush member  40  is circumferentially positioned on the cylindrical member interior surface  22  adjacent to the open end  26  thereof, with the outer brush member  40  having an axial aperture  45  there through. An inner wire brush member  50  is connected at one end to a linear shaft member  55 . The inner brush member  50  fits within the hollow cylindrical member  20  between the outer brush member  40  and the closed end  28  thereof, with the linear shaft member  55  extending through the closed end axial aperture  30 , as seen in FIG.  1 . The linear shaft member  55  is axially moveable within the closed end axial aperture  30 . An engaging means  60  is present for securing the shaft member  55  to the cylindrical member closed end  28  for transferring rotational movement from the shaft member  55  to the hollow cylindrical member  20 . 
     The inner brush member  50  and attached shaft member  55  are axially extendable through the outer brush member aperture  45  to position the inner brush member  50  beyond the cylindrical member open end  26  with the shaft member  55  maintained within the axial aperture  30  of the cylindrical member closed end  28 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The inner wire brush member  40  and the outer wire brush member  50  are fabricated from high carbon steel or stainless steel and are well known in the industry for use in cleaning copper fittings and tubing. The inner brush member  40  can be fabricated as an insert that is bonded to the interior surface of the hollow cylindrical member  20 , or the wire bristles of the inner brush member  40  can be integrally molded into the hollow cylindrical member  20  when it is fabricated from a polymeric resin such as polycarbonate. The linear shaft member  55  is fabricated from tool steel or stainless steel for strength and durability. 
     The shaft engaging means  60  shown in this embodiment of the present invention comprises a set screw member  62  in a threaded aperture  64  that extends between the hollow cylindrical member exterior surface  24  and the axial aperture  30  in the hollow cylindrical member closed end  28 . There is provided at least one flat surface  66  on the shaft member  55  for contacting the set screw member  62  as the screw member moves into the axial aperture  30 . The set screw member  62  provides a simple method for adjusting the linear shaft member  55  and attached inner brush member  50  relative to the outer brush member  40  of the hollow cylindrical member  20 . 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more knurled ridge members  90  encircle the hollow cylindrical member  20  near the open end  26  thereof. The ridge members  90  provide a gripping surface for a user&#39;s hand when working with the adjustable brush device  10 . 
     The adjustable fitting and pipe cleaning brush device  10  is used to selectively clean either the interior of a copper fitting or the exterior of a copper pipe prior to forming a joint by soldering or braising the two pieces. The adjustable brush device  10  is sized for use with a particular diameter of a fittings and pipe, ranging from as small as one quarter inch diameter to as large as several inches in diameter. The adjustable brush device  10  is fitted to a rotatory power source such as an electric drill by securing the linear shaft member  55  within the chuck of the drill. With the inner brush member  50  positioned within the hollow cylindrical member  20 , the copper tubing is inserted into the brush device open end  26  and the drill is operated to rotate the brush device  10  to cause the outer brush member  40  to clean the outer surface of the tubing. To clean the inner surface of a fitting, the shaft engaging means  60 , in this embodiment the set screw member  62 , is loosened and the inner brush member  50  and attached shaft  55  are moved through the outer brush member axial aperture  45  to position the inner brush member  50  beyond the cylindrical member open end  26 , The set screw member  62  is tightened on the shaft member  55 , the inner brush member  50  is inserted within a fitting, and the drill is operated to rotate the brush device  10  to cause the inner brush member  50  to clean the fitting inner surface. 
     Thus, a user can clean either a fitting inner surface or a tubing outer surface with the same brush device  10  without removing the device  10  from the drill chuck. Additionally, should one or the other brush members  40 ,  50  become damaged or worn, only the part of the adjustable brush device  10  that is worn or damaged needs to be replaced. The useful life of the adjustable brush device  10  is maximized, in that portions of the fitting and tubing that do not require cleaning when making a solder or braised joint are not cleaned, as is the case with some other devices. 
     Another embodiment of the adjustable brush device of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5-11. The cleaning brush device  10  includes a hollow cylindrical member  120  having an interior surface  122  and exterior surface  124 , with an open end  126  and a closed end  128  having an axial aperture  130  there through. The hollow cylindrical member  120  includes a first cylindrical section  150  of selected diameter which has the open end  126 , a second cylindrical section  155  of diameter less than the first cylindrical section  150 , with the second cylindrical section  155  joined to the first cylindrical section  150  opposite the open end  126  thereof, and a closed end third cylindrical section  160  of diameter less than the second cylindrical section  155 , the closed end third cylindrical section  160  joined to the second cylindrical section  155  opposite the first cylindrical section  150 , the third cylindrical section having the axial aperture  130  there through. The hollow cylindrical member  120  may be fabricated from metal or polymeric resin such as polycarbonate. 
     An outer wire brush member  40  is circumferentially positioned on the first cylindrical section  150  interior surface  122  adjacent to the open end  126  thereof, with the outer brush member  40  having an axial aperture  45  there through. An inner wire brush member  50  is connected at one end to a linear shaft member  55 . The inner brush member  50  fits within the hollow cylindrical member second cylindrical section  155  between the outer brush member  40  and the closed end  128  thereof, with the linear shaft member  55  extending through the closed end axial aperture  130 , as seen in FIG.  5 . The linear shaft member  55  is axially moveable within the closed end axial aperture  130 . An engaging means  60  is present for securing the shaft member  55  to the cylindrical member closed end  128  for transferring rotational movement from the shaft member  55  to the hollow cylindrical member  120 . 
     The inner brush member  50  and attached shaft member  55  are axially extendable through the outer brush member aperture  45  to position the inner brush member  50  beyond the cylindrical member open end  126  with the shaft member  55  maintained within the axial aperture  130  of the cylindrical member closed end  128 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The inner wire brush member  40  and the outer wire brush member  50  are fabricated from high carbon steel or stainless steel and are well known in the industry for use in cleaning copper fittings and tubing. The inner brush member  40  can be fabricated as an insert that is bonded to the interior surface of the first cylindrical section  150  of the hollow cylindrical member  120 , or the wire bristles of the inner brush member  40  can be integrally molded into the first cylindrical section  150  of the hollow cylindrical member  120  when it is fabricated from a polymeric resin such as polycarbonate. The linear shaft member  55  is fabricated from tool steel or stainless steel for strength and durability. 
     The shaft engaging means  60  shown in this embodiment of the present invention comprises a splined axial aperture  70  in the hollow cylindrical member closed end  130  and a splined shaft member  72 . The splined shaft member  72  has a polyhedral cross section, such as a hexagon as shown in FIG. 9, and the splined axial aperture  70  has a matching polyhedral cross section, such as a hexagon again as shown in FIG.  8 . Thus, rotation of the splined shaft member  72  imparts rotary motion to the hollow cylindrical member  120 . The splined relationship of these two elements provides a simple method for adjusting the linear shaft member  55  and attached inner brush member  50  relative to the outer brush member  40  of the hollow cylindrical member  120 . 
     Further, the splined shaft member  72  and closed end axial aperture  130  include a stop means  80  for positioning the inner brush member  50  beyond the cylindrical member open end  126 . The stop means  80  includes a biasing means  82  positioned within the closed end axial aperture  130  for engaging a circumferential channel  84  in the splined shaft member  72 . Thus, the biasing means  82  holds the splined shaft member  72  and maintains the inner brush member  50  within the second cylindrical section  155  of the hollow cylindrical member  120  while the outer brush member  40  is used to clean the end of a pipe. The inner brush member  50  can then be positioned exterior the hollow cylindrical member open end  126  by sliding the splined shaft member  72  within the splined axial opening  130  until the circumferential channel  84  reaches the biasing means  82  and is engaged thereby. The biasing means  82  includes a spring clip  86  or a spring biased metal ball, both well known devices for this purpose. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more knurled ridge members  90  encircle the hollow cylindrical member  120  near the open end  126  thereof. The ridge members  90  provide a gripping surface for a user&#39;s hand when working with the adjustable brush device  10 . 
     The adjustable fitting and pipe cleaning brush device  10  is used to selectively clean either the interior of a copper fitting or the exterior of a copper pipe prior to forming a joint by soldering or braising the two pieces. The adjustable brush device  10  is sized for use with a particular diameter of fittings and pipe, ranging from as small as one quarter inch diameter to as large as several inches in diameter. The adjustable brush device  10  is fitted to a rotatory power source such as an electric drill by securing the linear shaft member  55  within the chuck of the drill. With the inner brush member  50  positioned within the hollow cylindrical member  120 , the copper tubing is inserted into the brush device open end  126  and the drill is operated to rotate the brush device  10  to cause the outer brush member  40  to clean the outer surface of the tubing. To clean the inner surface of a fitting, the splined shaft member  72  is moved within the splined axial aperture  70  to move the inner brush member  50  through the outer brush member axial aperture  45  and position the inner brush member  50  beyond the cylindrical member open end  126 . The biasing means  82  snaps into the channel  84  on the shaft member  55 , after which the inner brush member  50  is inserted within a fitting, and the drill is operated to rotate the brush device  10  to cause the inner brush member  50  to clean the fitting inner surface. 
     Thus, a user can clean either a fitting inner surface or a tubing outer surface with the same brush device  10  without removing the device  10  from the drill chuck. Additionally, should one or the other brush members  40 ,  50  become damaged or worm, only the part of the adjustable brush device  10  that is worn or damaged needs to be replaced. The useful life of the adjustable brush device  10  is maximized, in that portions of the fitting and tubing that do not require cleaning when making a solder or braised joint are not cleaned, as is the case with some other devices. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, a further embodiment of the device  10  of the present invention is shown. The hollow cylindrical member  120  includes the first  150 , second  155  and closed end  160  sections as described above. At least one, and preferably a plurality of, first linear rib member  170  extends radially from the interior surface of the second section  155 . The first linear rib members  170  preferably are arranged in pairs, with each first linear rib member  170  disposed at 180 degrees relative to the other rib member  170  of the pair. Most preferably, there are a plurality of first rib member  170  pairs, for example four pairs, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The first rib member  170  extends axially along the length of the second cylindrical section  155 . Within the first cylindrical section  150 , the first rib member  170  contacts the end of a pipe being cleaned by the outer brush member  40 . The first rib member  170  prevents contact of the pipe with the inner brush member  50  contained within the second cylindrical section  155 . The wire bristles of the inner brush member  50  flex around the rib members  170  as the brush member  50  moves in and out of the second cylindrical section  155 . 
     In addition, a second linear rib member  180  extends radially from the interior surface of the first cylindrical section  150 . The second linear rib member  180  preferably extends axially along the full length of the the first cylindrical section  150  and allows the outer brush member  40  to clean a pipe end without the outer brush member  40  being directly attached to the interior surface of the first cylindrical section  150 . The brush member  40  is fabricated with a flexible, rectangular base having wire bristles on one side thereof. The base of the outer brush member  40  fits within the the first cylindrical section  150  with the bristles extending radially inward. Each end of the flexible base abuts against the second linear rib member  180  so that the outer brush member  40  moves in unison with the hollow cylindrical member  120  when rotated. The outer brush member  40  is further secured in place by a circular disk member  185  having a circular aperture  190  therein. The disk member  185  is preferably fabricated from a flexible plastic material and removably snaps into an interior channel  195  encircling the inner circumference of the first cylindrical section  150  adjacent the open end  126  thereof. The circular disk member  185  holds the outer brush member  40  in position as the pipe is inserted and withdrawn from the device  10 . The circular aperture  190  of the circular disk member  185  is sized to allow the inner brush member  50  to pass through it for cleaning the inside of a fitting. The disk member  185  also prevents the exterior end of the fitting from contacting the outer brush member  40 , thereby preventing excessive wear thereto. The circular disk member  185  is easily removed from the interior channel  195  to allow replacement of the outer brush member  40  when it becomes worn. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing-from the spirit and scope of the invention.