Abstract:
A flexible conductive static control brush assembly includes first and second brushes disposed on a common backing strip. Each brush includes a plurality of filaments disposed inwardly from opposite edges of the backing strip. Bands overlie outer end portions of the filaments adjacent edges of the backing strip, with the bands covering only a portion of each filament length. The backing strip includes parting lines for tearing to remove an intermediate portion of the backing strip between the brushes to expose the filaments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present regular United States Patent Application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/710,229 filed on Aug. 22, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to static control brush assemblies, and, more particularly, the invention pertains to flexible static control brush assemblies provided as an elongated strip or web.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Flexible conductive brush assemblies are known for various purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,242 “FLEXIBLE CONDUCTIVE PLASTIC STATIC CONTROL DEVICE” discloses a static control device for media handling systems, such as printers, copiers and the like. Bundles of fine fibers are provided in a non-contacting, ionization arrangement for dissipating static charge from the printer, copier or the like.  
         [0004]     In a known design, a flexible conductive plastic static control brush has an adhesive backing on a carrier strip, and a removable pull strip protects the adhesive strip during packaging and handling. Upon removing the protective strip, the adhesive layer is exposed, and the brush assembly can be adhered in place. The protective layer over the adhesive strip not only covers the adhesive layer, but also protects the very fine, hair-like filaments of the brush assembly during handling and installation.  
         [0005]     Known prior assemblies have performed satisfactorily for their intended purposes. However, it is not always desirable to have exposed adhesive on the brush assembly during installation. For example, the brush assembly may be secured in its operative installation by a clamping means or other holder in which the assembly is secured. Having an exposed adhesive layer may be detrimental to final assembly, making it difficult to position the device due to the natural tackiness of the adhesive layer interfering with the proper placement of the brush.  
         [0006]     It remains desirable that the fine, hair-like filaments used in the fiber bundles are protected from damage during transportation, handling and installation of the device. However, any protective structure desirably should be removed easily, to facilitate final installation without prolonging unduly the final preparation of the strip for installation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a brush assembly with a backing strip having a parting line, such as a perforated line, along which the backing strip can be torn for removing a portion of the backing strip that protects exposed filaments of the brush assembly.  
         [0008]     In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a brush assembly with a plurality of brush filaments; a band having a width covering a portion of each filament less than the entire filament; and a backing strip secured to the band and extending on an opposite side of the filaments from the band. The backing strip covers a substantial portion the filament lengths not covered by the band. A parting line in the backing strip is adapted for tearing to remove a portion of the backing strip to expose the filaments from both sides thereof.  
         [0009]     In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a flexible conductive brush assembly with a backing strip, a plurality of conductive filaments on the backing strip extending toward one another from opposite edges of the backing strip; a first band overlying an outer portion of the filaments along one edge of the backing strip; and a second band overlying an outer portion of the filaments along the opposite edge of the backing strip. Inner portions of the filaments remain uncovered by the first and second bands. First and second parting lines in the backing strip are adapted for tearing to separate the assembly into first and second brushes and an intermediate portion of the backing strip between the parting lines.  
         [0010]     In a still further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a brush assembly with a first brush having a group of first filaments and a first band partially cover the first filaments; a second brush having a group of second filaments and a second band partially covering the second filaments; and a common backing strip for the first brush and the second brush. The backing strip has a first side portion substantially opposed to the first band, a second side portion substantially opposed to the second band, and an intermediate portion detachably connecting the first and second side portions.  
         [0011]     An advantage of the present invention is providing a flexible conductive brush assembly that is easy to handle and install.  
         [0012]     Another advantage of the present invention is providing a flexible conductive static control brush in which fiber bundles are protected during shipping and handling but readily exposable for final installation.  
         [0013]     In a still further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a static control brush assembly in an elongated flexible strip having a backing layer that is partly removable to protect fiber filaments before removal and expose the fiber filaments for final installation.  
         [0014]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a flexible conductive static control brush assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the strip shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the side opposite the side shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the flexible conductive static control brush assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , but illustrating one brush of the assembly detached for installation and the opposite side of the assembly being prepared for installation; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 3  but illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  in particular, numeral  10  designates a flexible conductive static control brush assembly in accordance with the present invention. Assembly  10  is in the nature of a strip, which may be provided in specified short lengths or in an elongated length wound on a spool from which desirable lengths can be cut. Assembly  10  includes a first brush  12  and a second brush  14  on a backing strip  16 , with brushes  12  and  14  facing each other.  
         [0022]     As seen most clearly in  FIG. 3 , backing strip  16  is of sufficient width to span the distance from an outside edge of brush  12  to an outside edge of brush  14  and in intermediate space therebetween. Thus, backing strip  16  provides a convenient way for carrying and handling brushes  12  and  14  and protects brushes  12  and  14  from at least one side thereof. On a coil or spool supply wrapping can be done with backing strip  16  facing outwardly so that brushes  12  and  14  are protected, and only the side of backing strip  16  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is exposed.  
         [0023]     Brushes  12  and  14  are similarly constructed and include a plurality of bundles  20  each having a plurality of filaments  22  therein. For purposes of clarity in the drawings, only two bundles  20 , and not all bundles  20  have been identified with a reference number in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, one bundle  20  is identified with a reference number  20  in first brush  12  and one bundle  20  is identified with a reference number  20  in second brush  14 . Further, only two filaments  22 , and not all filaments  22  have been identified with a reference number in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, one filament  22  is identified with a reference number  22  in first brush  12 , and one filament  22  is identified with a reference number  22  and second brush  14 . Also, it should be understood that filaments  22  need not be provided in discrete bundles  20 . Instead, filaments  22  can be provided as an elongated row of filaments of desired density for the application.  
         [0024]     Filaments  22  can be carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, conductive acrylic fiber or any other conductive fiber type filament that can be provided with diameters sufficiently small to induce ionization when in the presence of an electrical field. Alternatively, filaments  22  can be of greater diameter and provided in a contacting type arrangement when installed. The present invention works equally well for protecting both fine filaments  22  useful in ionizing applications and thicker filaments  22  used in contacting arrangements. Further, the present invention can be used for brush assemblies used for purposes other than static control.  
         [0025]     On the upper surface of assembly  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , a first elongated band  24  of flexible plastic or other suitable material overlies an outer end portion of bundles  20  in first brush  12 , and a second elongated band  26  of flexible plastic or other suitable material overlies an outer end portion of bundles  20  in second brush  14 . Thus, one end of each bundle  20  is captured between backing strip  16  and either band  24  or band  26 . Suitable adhesive or the like can be used between bands  24 ,  26  and backing strip  16  to secure the bands and backing strip to each other and to secure bundles  20  of filaments  22  therebetween. A distal portion of each bundle  20  or filament  22  in first brush  12  extends beyond band  24 , and a distal portion of each bundle  20  or filament  22  in second brush  14  extends beyond band  26 . In assembly  10 , the distal portions of brushes  12  and  14  extend toward one another in a center portion of the assembly, between bands  24  and  26 .  
         [0026]     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , backing strip  16  includes first and second parting lines  30 ,  32  substantially in line with the inner edges of bands  24 ,  26 . First and second parting lines  30 ,  32  can be a series of perforations or slits extending through the thickness of backing strip  16  or can be a thinned or partially cut line in backing strip  16 .  
         [0027]     Backing strip  16  can be torn along one or both parting lines  30 ,  32  to separate brushes  12  and  14  by dividing backing strip  16  into three portions, a first backing strip outer portion  34  in substantial opposed position with first band  24 , a second backing strip outer portion  36  in substantial opposed position with band  26  and an intermediate portion  38  spanning the area between bands  24  and  26  on one side of the exposed distal ends of filaments  22 . When separated, brushes  12  and  14  each include an outer edge portion of backing strip  16  of substantially similar width to bands  24 ,  26 . After separation, filaments  22  in bundles  20  are exposed on both sides, in that intermediate portion  38  of backing strip  16  is separated from each first brush  12  and second brush  14 . Intermediate portion  38  can be discarded.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates assembly  10  partially prepared for use. Second brush  14  has been fully detached by tearing along second parting line  32 . Second brush  14  is readily for use, with distal end portions of filament bundles  20  thereof being exposed.  FIG. 4  further shows first brush  12  being detached from intermediate portion  38  of backing strip  16 , with first parting line  30  only partly torn along its length. Upon completion of the tear along first parting line  30 , intermediate portion  38  will be detached completely from each first brush  12  and second brush  14 . First brush  12  will then also be readily for use, with distal end portions of filament bundles  20  therein exposed. Fully detached intermediate portion  38  may be discarded.  
         [0029]     It should be understood that separation along parting lines  30 ,  32  can be performed manually; however, mechanical separation in automated machinery installing brushes  12  and  14  also can be used for tearing along parting lines  30 ,  32  as part of an installation process.  
         [0030]     It should be understood further that other constructions can be used to facilitate tearing a backing strip along a desired path. For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a backing strip  40  having weakened lines  42 ,  44  along which backing strip  40  can be torn. Weakened lines  42 ,  44  can be formed as part of an extrusion or other process forming backing strip  40 .  
         [0031]     It should be understood still further that the general concepts of the present invention can be used for providing an assembly having only one brush, without an opposed brush as shown for brushes  12  and  14 . Further, those skilled in the art will readily understand that a backing strip can be made sufficiently wide to accommodate more than two brushes in facing relationship. Additional parting lines can be provided so that three or more brushes can be provided on a single backing strip and separated from one another before final installation and use.  
         [0032]     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.