Abstract:
An implement mounted on a shaft has a device that either collects or has on it during or after use unwanted matter. The implement has a portion that is easily removable from the shaft and has a section creating at least a partial interference fit with the device to remove the unwanted matter therefrom.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Brushes are known to have a telescoping handle for cleaning radiators, flooring, tile, hollow bodies and other dusty surfaces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An implement mounted on a shaft has a device that either collects or has on it during or after use unwanted matter. The implement has a portion that is easily removable from the shaft and has a section creating at least a partial interference fit with the device to remove the unwanted matter therefrom. 
         [0003]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the handle is slidably and rotatably disposed on a shaft of the tool whereby the handle aids a user in steadying or leveraging a brush attached to the shaft while cleaning. 
         [0004]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the shaft of the tool is hollow thereby allowing a brush and a shaft that fits within the tool shaft to extend from a first position to an infinitely variable second position making it easier for the user to reach hard to reach places. 
         [0005]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, the handle may have a set of interchangeable inserts that are disposed within the handle openings for use with different brushes or for different applications. 
         [0006]    Other intentions and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described hereinbelow; 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a lint cleaning tool in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows the brush of  FIG. 1  in use; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows the handle of  FIG. 1  being used to clean the brush thereof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the use of the brush of  FIG. 1  in a telescoped configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows the use of the brush of  FIG. 1  in a second telescoped configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows the insertion of a tool into the shaft; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of the handle of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus of the invention is shown. The apparatus comprises a haft  10 , a shaft  15  fixedly attached to the haft  10 , a coupling  25  fixedly attached to the shaft  15 , the coupling having a plurality of fingers (not shown) that are compressed or loosened by screwable nut  27  to allow shaft  30  to telescope within shaft  15  from a first position to any second position while residing therein and a brush  35  attached to the shaft  30 . The coupling described herein is known in the art and any coupling that will allow the shaft  30  to adjustably telescopically within shaft  15  would be suitable for use herein. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus is shown in use with the brush  35  removing lint (not shown) from the lint trap  45  of a dryer  40 . One will appreciate as will be discussed herein that the apparatus has other uses and applications 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 7  a perspective view of handle  20  is shown. The handle has a pair of side walls  51 , a u-shaped section  52  connecting the walls whereby the walls and the section partially encircle the shaft  15  but are not so constricting to allow relative motion longitudinally and latitudinally between the shaft and the handle. The u-shaped section  52  defines a circular portion that is equal to or less than 180° so that the walls and the section  52  do not restrict removal or relative motion between the handle from the shaft. Each wall has a pair of longitudinal detents  53  opposing each other pair on the other wall that act to rotatably and slidingly maintain the shaft within the handle  15 . Each wall has a set of indents  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) to enhance a user&#39;s ability to grip the handle 
         [0017]    The handle  20  is constructed of polypropylene or other flexible, relatively strong plastic that allows repeated flexure of the walls  51  to move the detents  53  away from the detents on the other wall thereby enabling the handle to be either attached to or removed from the shaft  15 . 
         [0018]    Each side wall  51  has a transverse groove  60  disposed laterally to the length of the u-shaped section  52 . The transverse groove has a plurality of teeth  65  disposed integrally within each groove  60  or within a removeable insert  70  to enable the tool to efficiently remove matter that does not belong within or on the brush  35 . The shape of the groove  60  (and its related insert  65 ) is designed to create at least a partial interference fit with the brush  35  so that cleaning the brush by relative motion between the brush in the handle groove and the handle effectively removes matter that does not belong in or on the brush. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the groove will have different shapes and different materials or non-planar protrusions to remove different matter encountered in using such a tool or if the brush in the tool has different characteristics. For instance, the groove may have a rubber insert if the handle is disposed on a paint brush or roller, or it may have deeper teeth if pet hair is to be removed from the brush, or it may have smaller rounded teeth if the brush may be easily damaged, or it may have an insert with metal teeth if the brush is metallic for rougher usage, or it may be shaped for a different cleaning tool other than a brush like a mop etc. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , handle  20  is shown removed from its position on shaft  15  and forming an interference fit with the brush  35 . Relative motion between the brush within the groove  60  and the handle allows lint to be removed from the brush. The teeth  65  dig deeper into the brush to remove imbedded matter (not shown). 
         [0020]    To use the tool, a user will first determine the proper length the tool should have to clean or remove unwanted matter from a chosen surface and then telescope the shaft  30  within shaft  15  using coupling  25  to achieve the appropriate length. The user then grips the haft  10  with one hand and the handle  20  with another hand and applies the brush  35  to that surface such as the lint trap shown if  FIG. 2 . To adjust for changed lengths of the tool or to gain the appropriate leverage, a user allows the handle  20  to slide along the length of shaft  15  as is appropriate. A user may also choose to rotate the brush at the particular removal site for more efficient cleaning by rotating the haft while the shaft  15  (and the brush  35  and the shaft  30  rotate therewith) rotates in the relatively motionless handle. 
         [0021]    It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although an embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.