Abstract:
A cleaning implement comprising a base member having opposing top and bottom surfaces and at least one side surface. A handle is connected to the top surface of the base member and a first cleaning material is attached to the bottom surface of the base member. A cleaning member is rotatably connected to the at least one side surface of the base member and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member such that the second cleaning material is oriented in a different plane than the first cleaning material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/361,205, filed Feb. 24, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional cleaning devices, such as brushes, brooms, scrubbers, mops, and sponges, often lack the ability to reach differing oriented surfaces as a result of their cleaning material being oriented in a fixed configuration. 
     A cleaning device, and method for its use, is needed which will allow a user to orient the cleaning material of the cleaning device into differing configurations in order to clean variably oriented surfaces. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a cleaning implement comprises a base member, a first cleaning material attached to the base member, a cleaning member rotatably connected to the base member, and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member. The second cleaning material is oriented in a different plane than the first cleaning material. 
     In another embodiment, a cleaning implement comprises a handle, a base member connected to the handle, a first cleaning material attached to the base member, a cleaning member rotatably attached to the base member, two or more receiving surfaces defined in the base member, and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member. The cleaning member is adapted to rotate relative to the base member for positioning the cleaning member into two or more cleaning positions relative to the base member. 
     In another embodiment, a cleaning implement comprises a base member having opposing top and bottom surfaces and at least one side surface. A handle is connected to the top surface of the base member and a first cleaning material is attached to the bottom surface of the base member. A cleaning member is rotatably connected to the at least one side surface of the base member and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member such that the second cleaning material is oriented in a different plane than the first cleaning material. 
     In another embodiment, a cleaning implement comprises a base member having opposing top and bottom surfaces and at least one side surface. A handle is connected to the top surface of the base member and a first cleaning material attached to the bottom surface of the base member. A cleaning member is rotatably attached to the at least one side surface of the base member and two or more receiving surfaces defined in the at least one side surface of the base member. The two or more receiving surfaces are configured to receive the cleaning member and position the cleaning member into at least two distinct cleaning positions. A second cleaning material is attached to the cleaning member such that the cleaning member is adapted to rotate relative to the base member for positioning the cleaning member into distinct cleaning positions relative to the base member. 
     In another embodiment, a method of cleaning utilizing a cleaning implement comprises the steps of providing a cleaning implement including a base member, a first cleaning material attached to the base member, a cleaning member connected to the base member, and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member. The cleaning member is oriented into a first cleaning position relative to the base member, and then rotated into a second fixed cleaning position relative to the base member. 
     In another embodiment, a method of cleaning utilizing a cleaning implement comprises providing a cleaning implement including a base member having opposing top and bottom surfaces and at least one side surface, a handle connected to the top surface of the base member, a first cleaning material attached to the bottom surface of the base member, a cleaning member rotatably connected to the at least one side surface of the base member, and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member. The cleaning member is oriented into a first cleaning position relative to the base member and is rotated into a second cleaning position relative to the base member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning implement with the rotatable cleaning member in a horizontal position along the base member; 
         FIG. 2  is a frontal perspective view of the base member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a frontal perspective view of the rotatable cleaning member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a back plan view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom plan view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 3B  along line  3 C- 3 C; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  along line  4 - 4  showing a cross-section of the cleaning member and base member; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  with the rotatable cleaning member being partially removed from the base member in order to compress the spring and rotate the cleaning member into a vertical position along the base member; and 
         FIG. 6  is a frontal perspective view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  with the rotatable cleaning member in a vertical position along the base member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a cleaning implement. Cleaning implement  2  comprises a base member  6  and handle  10 . The base member  6  is made of foam filled Polypropylene while the handle  10  is made of wood. In other embodiments, the base member  6  and handle  10  may be made of any material known in the art, such as any type of wood, plastic, or metal. 
     The handle  10  is secured to the base member  6  as a result of an end  14  of the handle  10  being threaded into a hole  18  in the base member  6 . In other embodiments, the handle  10  may be connected to the base member  6  by any mechanism known in the art, such as through the utilization of bolts or snap-fits. Stabilizing arms  22  and  24  extend from the handle  10  to the base member  6  to assist in stabilizing the connection of the handle  10  to the base member  6 . Ends  26  and  28  of the stabilizing arms  22  and  24  are bolted to the base member  6 . Metal connection members  32  and  34  run between, and are bolted to, the other ends  36  and  38  of the stabilizing arms  22  and  24 . The handle  10  extends through a substantially circular aperture  42  formed between the connection members  32  and  34 . In other embodiments, other mechanisms known in the art may be used to stabilize the connection between the handle  10  and the base member  6 . 
     Bristles  46  extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface  48  of the base member  6 . The bristles  46  are made of Polypropylene. In other embodiments, the bristles  46  may be made of any material and in any configuration known by those skilled in the art. In still other embodiments, instead of having bristles  46  for use as a brush, scrubber, or broom, the base member  6  may comprise a mop head, sponge head, or other type of head known in the art, having strands or other material, emanating from the base member  6  made for mopping, sponge usage, or other usage known in the art. In additional embodiments, the base member  6  itself may not have any capacity for acting as a brush, scrubber, broom, mop, or sponge, but instead may be connected to a member having such capacity. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base member  6  is substantially rectangular, but in other embodiments may be in any shape known in the art. A front surface  50  of the base member  6  contains a horizontal pathway  52  cut into the front surface  50 . The horizontal pathway  52  is partially surrounded by ridges  54 . A vertical pathway  58  is also cut into the front surface  50  of the base member  6 . Abutments  62  partially line the vertical pathway  58 . In a location  66  where the horizontal pathway  52  and vertical pathway  58  intersect, a hole  68  of diameter D 1 , used for the attachment of a cleaning member  70 , extends from the front surface  50  partially into the cross-section of the base member  6 . The horizontal and vertical pathways  52  and  58  are configured to accommodate attachment of the cleaning member  70  to allow the cleaning member  70  to be held in both a horizontal position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In such manner, the cleaning member  70  may be utilized to clean surfaces in planes other than the plane of the surface oriented directly under the brush member. In other embodiments, one or more pathways along any surface of the base member  6 , in any type of configuration, may be utilized to hold the cleaning member  70  in any desired position. 
     In still other embodiments, the base member  6  may comprise two or more receiving surfaces, in any location or configuration, which are adapted to receive the cleaning member  70  against the receiving surfaces. The receiving surfaces may comprise any type of arrangement adapted to receive the cleaning member  70 , such as a portion of a male and female arrangement, a portion of a slot and groove arrangement, and a portion of a ball and socket arrangement. The receiving surfaces may be utilized to receive the cleaning member  70  in a multitude of different orientations and positions, such as horizontal, vertical, and angular. The receiving surfaces may also be adapted to restrain the cleaning member  70  in one or more directions when the cleaning member  70  is against the receiving surfaces. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C depict various views of the cleaning member  70 . The cleaning member  70  is made of foam filled Polypropylene and is substantially rectangular. In other embodiments, the cleaning member  70  may be made of any material known in the art and may be in any configuration. Polypropylene bristles  72  extend substantially perpendicularly from a front surface  76  of the cleaning member  70 . In other embodiments, the bristles  72  may be made of any known material and in any location or configuration. The bristles  72  may be used to sweep, scrub, or brush during cleaning. In still other embodiments, the cleaning member  70  may comprise a sponge head or other type of cleaning head having material emanating from the cleaning member  70  made for sponge or other cleaning usage. 
     As shown best by  FIG. 3C , which is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member  70  taken along line  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3B , a substantially circular aperture  80  of diameter D 2  extends from the front surface  76  of the cleaning member  70  partially through the cross-section of the cleaning member  70 . At the location  90  in the cross-section where the aperture  80  ends, a substantially circular aperture  92 , of smaller diameter D 3  than the diameter D 2  of the aperture  80 , extends through the remaining cross-section and through the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70 . In such manner, a shoulder  98  is formed within the cross-section of the cleaning member  70 . Gripping members  102  and  104  extend from side surfaces  108  and  110  of the cleaning member  70 . In other embodiments, the cleaning member  70  may utilize one or more apertures or gripping members in any location, size, alignment, or configuration. 
       FIG. 4  shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  to demonstrate the attachment of the cleaning member  70  to the base member  6  in a horizontal position as a result of the horizontal pathway  52 . To attach the cleaning member  70  to the base member  6 , a nylon pin member  114 , having a steel spring  118  extending around an inner portion  122  of the nylon pin member&#39;s shaft  126 , is inserted into the substantially circular aperture  80  in the front surface  76  of the cleaning member  70 . In other embodiments, the pin member  114  and spring  118  may be of differing material, shapes, sizes, locations, and configurations. In further embodiments, other mechanisms may be utilized to attach the cleaning member  70  to the base member  6 . 
     The nylon pin member  114  has an end portion  130  of smaller diameter D 4  than the diameter D 2  of the aperture  80  in the front surface  76  of the cleaning member  70  to allow insertion into the cleaning member  70 . At the same time, the diameter D 4  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  is larger than the diameter D 3  of the aperture  92  in the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70  to prevent the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  from passing through the aperture  92  in the cleaning member  70 . 
     The inner portion  122  of the nylon pin member&#39;s shaft  126  has a diameter D 5  which is smaller than both the diameter D 4  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114 , and the diameter D 3  of the aperture  92  in the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70 . Due to the diameter differences, the inner portion  122  of the nylon pin member&#39;s shaft  126  is allowed to pass at least partially through both of the apertures  80  and  92  of the cleaning member  70 . The diameter D 6  of the spring  118 , when it is extended around the inner portion  122  of the nylon pin member&#39;s shaft  126 , is larger than the inner portion&#39;s diameter D 5 . The spring  118  is held between the shoulder  132  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  and the shoulder  98  of the cleaning member  70 . 
     An end  134  of the pin member  114  has a cut-out section  138  in its cross-section to allow the pin member&#39;s end  134  to be compressed during insertion of the pin member  114  into the hole  68  of the base member  6 . The diameter D 7  of the end  134  of the pin member  114  is larger than the diameter D 1  of the hole  68  in the base member  6 , but smaller than the diameter D 8  of a secondary hole  150  extending within the cross-section of the base member  6 . 
     When the pin member  114  is inserted into the aperture  80  in the front surface  76  of the cleaning member  70 , the end  134  of the pin member  114  is passed out of the aperture  92  in the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70  and through the hole  68  in the base member  6 . Due to the end  134  of the pin member  114  having a larger diameter D 7  than the diameter D 1  of the hole  68  of the base member  6 , the end  134  of the pin member  114  is compressed as it passes through the hole  68  in the base member  6 . As the end  134  of the pin member  114  reaches the secondary hole  150  in the cross-section of the base member  6 , the end  134  of the pin member  114  expands outwardly due to the increased diameter D 8  of the secondary hole  150 . At that point, a shoulder  154  of the pin member&#39;s end portion  134  abuts against a shoulder  158  within the cross-section of the base member  6  to lock the pin member  114  in place, thereby preventing the pin member  114  from slipping out of the hole  68  in the base member  6 . As a result, since the diameter D 4  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  is larger than the diameter D 3  of the aperture  92  in the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70 , thereby preventing the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  from passing through the aperture  92  in the cleaning member  70 , the cleaning member  70  is securely attached to the base member  6 . 
     The spring&#39;s  118  naturally extended state forces the spring ends  162  and  164  to press respectively against the shoulder  132  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114  and the shoulder  98  of the cleaning member  70 . In such manner, the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70  is fixedly secured within the horizontal pathway  52  in the front surface  50  of the base member  6 , with surfaces  168  of the cleaning member  70  abutted against ridges  54  in the front surface  50  of the base member  6  thereby preventing movement. As a result, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the cleaning member  70  is locked in a horizontal position against the base member  6 . In other embodiments, the spring  118  may be utilized to apply a force to the cleaning member  70  towards at least one of two or more receiving surfaces defined in the base member  6 . In further embodiments, other mechanisms may be used in place of the spring  118  and pin member  114  to lock the cleaning member  70  in place against the base member  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , to change the position of the cleaning member  70  from the horizontal position of  FIG. 1  to the vertical position of  FIG. 6 , a user grasps one or more of the gripping members  102  and  104  to pull the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70  away from the front surface  50  of the base member  6 . During this process, as can be visualized using  FIG. 4 , the shoulder  132  of the end portion  130  of the pin member  114  interferes with the shoulder  98  of the cleaning member  70  thereby preventing the cleaning member  70  from slipping off the pin member  114 . While this occurs, the spring  118  is compressed between the shoulder  98  of the cleaning member  70  and the shoulder  132  of the end portion  130  of the nylon pin member  114 . 
     The user then rotates the cleaning member  70  into the vertical position of  FIG. 6  and releases the cleaning member  70 . As visualized using  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , the spring  118  re-extends into its natural state forcing the cleaning member  70  to be aligned within the vertical pathway  58  in the front surface  50  of the base member  6 . In such manner, the back surface  96  of the cleaning member  70  is fixedly secured within the vertical pathway  58  in the front surface  50  of the base member  6 , with surfaces  168  of the cleaning member  70  aligned against abutments  62  in the front surface  50  of the base member  6  to prevent movement. As a result, the cleaning member  70  is locked in a vertical position against the base member  6 . In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be used in place of the spring  118  and pin member  114  to allow re-positioning of the cleaning member  70 . 
     The rotating cleaning member  70  allows a user to clean surfaces oriented in different positions by simply re-orienting the cleaning member  70  into a different position. When the cleaning member  70  is in the horizontal position of  FIG. 1 , the bristles  72  of the cleaning member  70  may be used to scrub wide surfaces aligned along the front surface  50  of the base member  6 . In this position, the substantially perpendicular alignment of the bristles  72  of the cleaning member  70  with respect to the bristles  46  of the base member  6  allows a user to brush, scrub, or sweep horizontal or vertical surfaces utilizing two sets of differently oriented bristles  46  and  72  in different planes. 
     When the cleaning member  70  is in the vertical position of  FIG. 6 , the bristles  72  of the cleaning member  70  may be used to brush, scrub, or sweep narrow, recessed, grooved surfaces, such as grout lines in a tile floor, which are aligned perpendicularly to the front surface  50  of the base member  6 . In this position, the substantially perpendicular alignment of the bristles  72  of the cleaning member  70  with respect to the bristles  46  of the base member  6  again allows a user to brush, scrub, or sweep horizontal or vertical surfaces utilizing two sets of differently oriented bristles  46  and  72 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.