Abstract:
A hand held cleaning tool is powered by commonly available batteries. Preferably a momentary switch selectively delivers power from the batteries to a motor. An output shaft of the tool includes an expandable coupling, such as, for example a set of swaging cams. Torque delivery arms radiate outward from the output shaft. For example, the torque delivery arms are carried by a hub. The hub is attached to the output shaft with a pin. The hub also acts to secure a power train including the motor and output shaft to a housing of the cleaning tool. The torque delivery arms are received in slots or interdental spaces associated with a cleaning head. Torque is delivered to the cleaning head with a reduced stress concentration.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The invention is related to the art of cleaning tools. The invention will be described in terms of a household cleaning tool, such as, for example, a kitchen or bathroom cleaning tool. However, the invention can be applied to other cleaning, polishing, sanding or similar applications.  
           [0002]    Known battery powered cleaning tools suffer from at least one of the following three drawbacks. They require non-standard power sources or batteries that are not readily available; they include slide-type switches, which are not momentary in nature; and/or they apply torque, and, therefore, stresses, to cleaning heads or brushes at relatively narrow portions of cleaning attachments.  
           [0003]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,790 to Root, et al. discloses several battery powered scrubbing devices. Each disclosed scrubbing device includes a single rechargeable battery. Root does not disclose the size or type of battery. However, the relative size and shape of the battery shown in the illustrations, as well as a probable power requirement of a scrubbing device, indicate that the battery contemplated by Root is of a type not readily available to the general public.  
           [0004]    Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifetime. Additionally, rechargeable batteries are known to have preferred operating and care conditions. For example, the useful lifetime of some rechargeable batteries is diminished if the batteries are not fully discharged before recharging. Many users of battery powered cleaning tools are unaware of, or are unwilling to devote the required attention to, a rechargeable battery care regime. Therefore, the difficulty in replacing the rechargeable batteries of Root, due to their uncommon nature, may lead to a shortened useful lifetime of the overall device.  
           [0005]    The scrubbing devices of Root also include switches. Root does not disclose the type of switch. However, it appears that the switches disclosed in Root are of the push on/push off or slide type. For example, one switch is disposed at a back end of a scrubbing device. In that position, the switch cannot be reasonably held in an on position while the tool is being used. Non-momentary switches can be problematic in cleaning tools because a distracted user can forget to shut the tool off before placing it, for example, on a counter top. For instance, a user may be distracted, by a telephone or a child, and place a cleaning tool with a spinning cleaning head on a counter top. In that case, the cleaning tool may run across the counter top possibly knocking glasses and dishes to the floor. If, on the other hand, a cleaning tool were to incorporate a momentary switch, the cleaning head would stop moving as soon as the tool was released. Furthermore, the inclusion of a momentary actuation switch in a cleaning tool helps conserve energy. For example, through the use of a momentary switch the tool is de-powered during every pause in the cleaning operation, or whenever the user is not making a conscious effort to actuate the machine. Therefore, battery life is extended.  
           [0006]    Lastly, Root discloses several cleaning heads. The cleaning heads include relatively narrow hexagonally shaped jacks that are received in a hexagonally shaped socket of the cleaning tool main body. Therefore, when the tool is operated, torque is applied with a very short moment arm to the edges and surfaces of the hexagonally shaped jack. Because the torque is applied with a relatively short moment arm, a working cleaning head, such as disclosed by Root, undergoes undue mechanical stresses that can lead to premature aging and, eventually, fatigue and brush failure.  
           [0007]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,681 B1 to Dolab discloses a rotary brush cleaning device including a rechargeable battery enclosed in a power source case, a switch of undisclosed type that appears to be a slide switch, and a plurality of cleaning heads. While Dolah suggests that replaceable batteries may be used, Dolah does not suggest a replaceable battery arrangement that would be adequate to provide the required power, nor does Dolah suggest a brush design that could accommodate replaceable batteries while maintaining an ergonomic form factor and pleasing design. The brushes disclosed by Dolah include base portions that are used to connect the brushes to the main body of the cleaning device. The base portions include L-shaped slots for receiving pins of the cleaning device. While no dimensions are given in either reference, the base portions of Dolah might be of a larger diameter than the jacks of Root. Therefore, Dolah may deliver torque to the brushes with a slightly larger moment arm. However, the brushes of Dolah include relatively narrow elongated intermediate shafts. The relatively narrow elongated intermediate shafts can undergo undue stress concentration which may lead to premature failure.  
           [0008]    A third reference, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,588 to Sandt, et al. discloses a portable cleaning device. Like Root and Dolah, Sandt discloses a cleaning device having a switch of undisclosed type. However, the switch appears to be a non-momentary slide type. The portable cleaning device includes a rechargeable battery of undisclosed size and type. However, the size and shape of the battery shown in the figures appear to be that of a battery that is not readily available to the general public. The brushes of Sandt appear to receive torque in a manner similar to the brushes of Dolah. That is, while no dimensions are given in any of the references, it appears that the brushes of Sandt receive torque at a slightly larger moment arm than do the hexagonal jacks of Root. However, the brushes of Sandt include relatively narrow shafts where damaging stress due to torque can be concentrated.  
           [0009]    Therefore, there exists a desire for a battery operated hand-held cleaning tool powered by commonly available batteries. There is a desire for a hand-held cleaning tool that is actuated with a momentary switch that de-powers the tool automatically when the tool is released. Additionally, there is a desire for a cleaning tool that delivers lower stress to cleaning heads thereby extending cleaning head life.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0010]    A first embodiment of a cleaning system includes a power compartment including, a power source housed within the power compartment, a motor mounted within the power compartment, the motor powered by the power source, a switch for selectively connecting the motor to the power source, and, a power output driven by the motor for delivering power to a device connected to the power compartment, a transmission module selectively connectable to the power compartment; and a cleaning head selectively connectable to the transmission module  
           [0011]    For example, the power source can include four AA size batteries. The switch can be a momentary switch. The cleaning head can include a cleaning element pretreated with a cleansing agent. Preferably, the power compartment includes a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. The cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission module via a swaging cam associated with an output of the transmission, the swaging cam being operative to mate with and retain a mating portion of the cleaning head. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission module via an output hub associated with an output of the transmission, the output hub including a torque arm, the toque arm being operative to be received within interdental spaces of torque teeth of the cleaning head when the cleaning head is connected to the transmission module, the torque arm thereby providing a moment arm for the delivery of torque to the cleaning head.  
           [0012]    A second embodiment takes the form of a cleaning wand configured for hand-held cleaning. The cleaning wand includes an elongated power compartment. A power source is housed within the power compartment. A motor is mounted within the power compartment. The motor can be selectively connected to the power source. The power compartment also houses a power output driven by the motor for delivering power to a device connected to the power compartment. The cleaning wand also includes an elongated transmission module having threads for selectively connecting the transmission module to or disconnecting the transmission module from the power compartment. The transmission module includes a mechanism for transforming power from the power output to a form selected for a particular cleaning task. The cleaning wand can drive a cleaning head. A switch for selectively connects the motor to the power source.  
           [0013]    For example, the cleaning head can be connected to the cleaning wand via an expandable coupling received in a socket of the cleaning head. For instance, the expandable coupling can be a swaging cam. The switch can include a switch support mounted to a back end of the motor and a resiliently biased arm mounted too the switch support. For instance, the resiliently biased arm can be resiliently spaced, in an over lapping manner, from a power terminal of the motor. The switch can further include a flexible membrane sealingly engaging an aperture in the power compartment. The membrane is positioned in overlapping relation with the resiliently biased arm. Deflecting the membrane caused the resiliently biased arm to deflect and come into contact with the power terminal of the motor.  
           [0014]    A third embodiment includes a cleaning system comprising a handle, a power source housed within the handle, an upper housing selectively connectable to the handle, a transmission mounted within the upper housing, a motor mounted to a power input portion of the transmission, a contact holder mounted to a back end of the motor, a switching element mounted to the contact holder, the switching element being resiliently bias away from a power contact of the motor, a hub connected to an output of the transmission, and a cleaning head selectively connectable at the hub.  
           [0015]    For example, the power source can include four AA size batteries. The switch can be a momentary switch. The cleaning head can include a cleaning element pretreated with a cleansing agent. Preferably, the handle includes a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. The cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission via a swaging cam associated with an output of the transmission, the swaging cam being operative to mate with and retain a mating portion of the cleaning head. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning head can be selectively connected to the transmission via an output hub associated with an output of the transmission, the output hub can include a torque arm, the toque arm being operative to be received within interdental spaces of torque teeth of the cleaning head when the cleaning head is connected to the transmission module, the torque arm thereby providing a moment arm for the delivery of torque to the cleaning head.  
           [0016]    A fourth embodiment takes the form of cleaning wand configured for hand-held cleaning. The cleaning wand includes an elongated handle. The wand includes a power source housed within the handle, an elongated upper housing including threads for selectively connecting the upper housing to or disconnecting the upper housing from the handle, a mechanism for transforming input power to a movement selected for a particular cleaning task, a motor mounted to the mechanism for providing input power to the mechanism. A switch selectively connects the motor to the power source. The wand also includes a cleaning head and an interconnect for selectively connecting the cleaning head to a movement output of the mechanism.  
           [0017]    The wand can include a battery charging circuit. The interconnect can include an expandable coupling for being matingly received in a socket of the cleaning head. For example, the expandable coupling can include a swaging cam. The switch can include a switch support mounted to a back end of the motor a conductive resiliently biased arm mounted too the switch support, the resiliently biased arm being resiliently spaced, in an over lapping manner, from a power terminal of the motor.  
           [0018]    A fifth embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing, a battery located in a battery compartment in the housing, an electric motor located in the housing, a contact holder mounted to the motor, the contact holder including contacts for receiving power from the batteries and a switch element in overlapping relation to a motor contact. The switch element is resiliently biased away from the motor contact. The cleaning tool further includes an output shaft, and a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft. The output shaft extends outside the housing. The cleaning tool also includes means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.  
           [0019]    The means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and a socket for receiving the swaging cam, the socket being associated with the cleaning attachment. The generally cylindrical housing can include a gripping portion sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion can be about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. A center of the switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing, so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the switch. The gripping portion can be hollowed for forming a battery compartment for housing the replaceable batteries.  
           [0020]    A sixth embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing including a lower housing including a gripping portion, and an upper housing connected to the lower housing and extending away from the lower housing. An attachment point for the detachable head is located at a distal end of the upper housing. A battery is located in a battery compartment in the housing. An electric motor is also located in the housing. The cleaning tool includes a switch for actuating the cleaning tool by directing power from the battery to the electric motor. The switch is disposed in relation to the gripping portion to allow the switch to be comfortably operated by a finger of a hand gripping the gripping portion. The upper housing being dimensioned to space the detachable cleaning head from the gripping portion and the switch to allow the cleaning tool to be gripped, actuated and the cleaning head to be brought in contact with a work piece while preventing the work piece from interfering with the hand gripping the gripping portion or the finger operating the switch. Additionally the cleaning tool includes an output shaft, a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft, the output shaft extending outside the upper housing at the distal end, and a means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.  
           [0021]    For example, the switch can be a momentary switch. The output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and the cleaning attachment can include a socket for receiving the swaging cam. The gripping portion can be sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion is at about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the switch.  
           [0022]    A seventh embodiment is considered to be an ergonomic, hand held, battery powered cleaning tool. The cleaning tool includes a detachable cleaning head, a generally cylindrical housing including a lower housing including a gripping portion, and an upper housing connected to the lower housing and extending away from the lower housing. An attachment point for the detachable head is located at a distal end of the upper housing. A battery is located in a battery compartment in the housing. An electric motor is also located in the housing. The cleaning tool includes a momentary switch for actuating the cleaning tool by directing power from the battery to the electric motor. The momentary switch is disposed in relation to the gripping portion to allow the momentary switch to be comfortably operated by a finger of a hand gripping the gripping portion. The upper housing being dimensioned to space the detachable cleaning head from the gripping portion and the momentary switch to allow the cleaning tool to be gripped, actuated and the cleaning head to be brought in contact with a work piece while preventing the work piece from interfering with the hand gripping the gripping portion or the finger operating the switch. Additionally the cleaning tool includes an output shaft, a transmission for coupling the motor to the output shaft, the output shaft extending outside the upper housing at the distal end, and a means for attaching the detachable cleaning head to the output shaft.  
           [0023]    For example, the output shaft can include a swaging cam molded into the output shaft and the cleaning attachment can include a socket for receiving the swaging cam. The gripping portion can be sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user. For example, the gripping portion is at least about 3.5 inches in length, thereby allowing the gripping portion to be comfortably cradled in a palm of a user. The gripping portion is at about one inch in width, thereby allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The gripping portion is at about 1.4 inches in height, thereby allowing the gripping section to be cradled comfortably in a palm of a user and allowing the fingers of a user to be comfortably wrapped around the gripping portion. The momentary switch can be spaced about {fraction (3/4)} to about 1 inch from a first end of the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis of the housing, along an upper edge of the housing so that when a heel of a hand of a user rests comfortably on the upper edge of the power compartment, a thumb of a user can comfortably actuate the momentary switch.  
           [0024]    An eighth embodiment takes the form of a durable cleaning tool. The durable cleaning tool includes a housing having a power compartment for holding a power source, a motor mounted within the housing, a switch for selectively connecting the motor to the power source if the power source is installed within the compartment, an output shaft, extending from within the housing to outside the housing, the output shaft being powered directly or indirectly by the motor, torque transmission arms extending radially outward from the portion of the output shaft extending outside the housing, a cleaning head, and, torque receiving elements associated with the cleaning head for receiving torque from the torque transmission arms.  
           [0025]    For example, the cleaning tool further includes a hub attached to the portion of the output shaft extending outside the housing, the hub can carry the torque transmission arms. The torque receiving elements can comprise teeth. The torque transmitting arms can be receivable in interdental spaces between the teeth.  
           [0026]    Advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0027]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and/or in various procedures and arrangements of procedures. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of a battery powered cleaning tool.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view of the battery powered cleaning tool of FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the battery powered cleaning tool of FIG. 1.  
         [0031]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 B are sectional views of working or cleaning heads that can be included in battery powered cleaning tools similar to the cleaning tool of FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 B perspective views of working or cleaning heads that can be included in battery powered cleaning tools similar to the cleaning tool of FIG. 1.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting elements of a means for connecting a working or cleaning head to an output shaft of battery powered cleaning tool of FIG. 1  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a battery powered cleaning tool in the hand of a user.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the battery powered cleaning tool of FIG. 7 in the hand of the user. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1-FIG. 3, an ergonomic battery operated cleaning tool  100  includes a housing  102  and a cleaning head  104 . The housing can be divided into sections. For example, the housing  102  includes a lower housing or power compartment  106  and an upper housing or transmission module  108 . The lower housing  106  and the upper housing  108  include threads  110 ,  112 , respectively. The threads  110 ,  112  are used to connect the upper housing or transmission module  108  to the lower housing or power compartment  106 . The lower housing or power compartment  106  is sized to accommodate at least one readily available battery. For example, the power compartment can be sized to accommodate AAA, AA, C, D or 9V batteries. Both disposable and rechargeable batteries are available in these sizes. Additionally, chargers for these size rechargeable batteries are also readily available.  
         [0037]    The exemplary lower housing or power compartment  106  is sized to accommodate four AA size batteries. Sizing the power compartment to accommodate four AA size batteries  114  allows the lower housing or power compartment to include an ergonomic gripping portion  116  while providing a six-volt power source with a 3,000 milliamp-hour (mA-hr) capacity (assuming commonly available alkaline-manganese dioxide cells are used).  
         [0038]    Other power sources may be selected. However, selecting other power sources may require a reduction in the ergonomic features of the cleaning tool  100  in general and the gripping portion  116  in particular. For example, accommodating C-type or D-type batteries may require the gripping portion  116  to be wider. Additionally, accommodating the larger cells (C type, D type) might require a more complicated construction. If, for example, the power source included two C-type batteries, it might be necessary to run a wire from a contact at a bottom end  118  to a first motor terminal  120 .  
         [0039]    In an embodiment sized to accommodate four AA batteries, a spring contact plate  122  located at the bottom end  118  of the housing  102  is held in place by a spring contact cover  123 . For example, the spring contact cover snaps into a groove inside the bottom end  118  of the housing. The spring contact cover may include markings to indicate proper battery orientation. Alternatively, the spring contact plate  122  and/or cover  123  may be glued into place. The sprint contact  122  completes a series connection of the four AA batteries  114 . Therefore, four properly installed batteries  114  provide positive and negative power delivery terminals  124 ,  126  from the batteries themselves at a convenient location within the housing  102 .  
         [0040]    Power is taken from the power delivery terminals  124 ,  126  and delivered to a motor  128  via contacts  130 ,  132 . The contacts  130 ,  132  are supported by a contact holder  134 . The contact holder  134  can be secured to the housing  102 . For example, the contact holder  134  can be mounted to the lower housing or power compartment  106  with an adhesive or fastener.  
         [0041]    In the exemplary embodiment, the contact holder  134  is mounted to the motor  128 . For example, fasteners, such as screws  136  are used to secure the contact holder  134  to a back end  138  of the motor  128 . As will be explained in greater detail below, in the illustrated embodiment, the motor is associated with the upper housing  108 . Therefore, the contact holder  134  is not mounted to the lower housing. Instead, the contact holder  134  (along with a portion of the motor  128 ) is simple slide into position within the lower housing  106 . A keying arrangement (not shown), such as, for example, a tongue molded into the lower housing  102  and a groove included in the contact holder  134 , ensures that the contact holder  134  is installed in a proper orientation and prevents the contact holder  134 , as well as the motor  128  from rotating within the housing  102  during operation. For example, the keying arrangement ensures that the contacts  130 ,  132  line up with and engage the power terminals  126 ,  124  respectively.  
         [0042]    However, the contact holder  134  is mounted, it is sandwiched between the motor  128  and the positive and negative power delivery terminals  124 ,  126  of the set of batteries  114 . The first contact  130  is positioned on the contact holder so as to provide a connection between, for example, the negative power delivery terminal  126  and the first motor terminal  120 . The switch contact  132  is positioned and supported by the contact holder  134  to be in contact with, for example, the positive power delivery terminal  124 . The switch contact  132  overlaps either a second motor terminal  140  or a contact plate  142 , which is, for example, pressed in contact with the second motor terminal  140  by the contact holder  134 . The switch contact  132  is resiliently biased away from the second motor contact  140  and/or the contact plate  142 . The contact holder  134  is positioned and oriented, for example by the keying arrangement (not shown) so the switch contact  132  is adjacent a switch aperture  144  in the housing  102 . For example, the aperture  144  is in the lower housing or power compartment  106 . A button  146  is mounted adjacent the spring contact  132 . For example, the button is made of a resilient material such as rubber, plastic or spring metal. Preferably, the button  146  seals the aperture  144 . Pressing the button  146  brings the button  146  into contact with the spring contact  132  and presses it against the second motor contact and/or the contact plate  142 , thereby completing the power circuit and delivering power to the motor  128 .  
         [0043]    The motor  128  is mounted to the housing  102 . For example, where the contact holder  134  is secured to the lower housing or power compartment  106 , the attachment of the motor  128  to the contact holder  134  by the screws  136  may be sufficient to secure the motor  128  to the lower housing or power compartment  106 . Alternatively, additional bracketing, fasteners or adhesives may be used to secure the motor  128  to some part of the housing  102 .  
         [0044]    In the exemplary embodiment, the motor  128  is indirectly mounted to the upper housing or transmission module  108 . For example, a motor mount  148  is secured to the motor  128  with fasteners, such as screws  149 . Alternatively, adhesive can be used to secure the motor mount  148  to the motor  128 . The motor mount  148  includes tabs or swaging cams  150 . The tabs  150  are received or snap fit into slots  152  in a peripheral gear housing  154 . The peripheral gear housing  154  includes gear teeth (not shown) on an inner wall (not shown) thereof. An outer bushing  156  is secured within the peripheral gear housing  154 . For example, the outer bushing  156  is made of metal. For example, the outer bushing is friction fit or glued into the peripheral gear housing  154 . An inner bushing  157  is friction fit, glued or otherwise fastened to a portion of a transmission output shaft  158 . The transmission output shaft  158  and inner bushing  157  are installed within the outer bushing  156  and peripheral gear housing  154 . An outer surface of the inner bushing  157  engages the inner surface of the outer bushing  156 . A lubricant such as grease or petroleum jelly may be included therebetween. The periperal gear housing  154  and associated components are inserted into the upper housing or transmission module  108 . When so installed, an output portion  160  of the output shaft  158  extends through the peripheral gear housing  154  and an output aperture  162  at a distal end  164  of the upper housing or transmission module  108 . A seal  166  installed around the output portion, between the output portion  160  and the output aperture  162  prevents liquids and debris from entering the housing  102 . A pin  168  secures a hub  170  to the output portion  160  of the transmission output shaft  158 . The pin  168  extends through a first mounting aperture  172  in a shaft collar  174  of the hub  170 . The pin  178  also extends through a second mounting aperture  176  in the output portion  160  of the transmission output shaft  158 . The pin  168  is held in place by friction fit or adhesive. Alternatively, the pin  168  is a cotter pin, screw, or other fastening means.  
         [0045]    The transmission output shaft is connected to an output  178  of the motor  128  by a mechanism or transmission  180 . For example, a pinion gear  182  is mounted to an output shaft  184  of the motor  128 . The pinion gear  182  mates with the first set of planetary gears  186 . The first set of planetary gears  186  are supported by a first gear holder  188  and held in place by a gear retainer plate  187 . The first gear holder  188  includes a second pinion gear  190 . The second pinion gear  190  mates with the second set of planetary gears  192 . The second set of planetary gears  192  are supported by a second gear holder  194  and held in place by a flange portion of the first gear holder  188 . The second gear holder  194  is attached to the transmission output shaft  158 . For example, the second gear holder  194  is molded to in unitary width a proximal end  196  of the transmission output shaft  158 . An alignment bushing  197  is installed in or molded into the second gear holder  194  or proximal end  196  of the transmission output shaft  158 . The alignment bushing  197  is coaxial with the transmission output shaft  158 . An alignment pin  198  is received in alignment apertures  200 ,  201  in the first pinion gear  182  and the alignment bushing  197 . The alignment pin  198  is coaxial with and aligns the motor  128 , first pinion gear  182 , first gear holder  188 , and second gear holder  194 .  
         [0046]    Alternatively, the alignment pin may be an additional molded and unitary component of the transmission output shaft  158 . For example, when the motor  128  is mounted in the lower housing  106 , modular assembly of the cleaning tool  100  is facilitated by including the alignment pin  198  as a molded-in component of the transmission output shaft  158 .  
         [0047]    In operation, when the button  146  is depressed, the resilient biasing of the switch contact  132  is overcome and the switch contact  132  engages the second motor terminal  140  or the contact plate  142  thereby completing the power circuit and delivering electrical energy from the batteries  114  to the motor  128 . The motor output shaft rotates at a motor output speed. The first set of planetary gears  186  is engaged with the first pinion gear  182  and the gear teeth (not shown) of the peripheral gear housing  154 . The rotation of the motor output shaft  184  causes the first pinion gear  182  to rotate. The rotation of the first pinion gear  182  causes the first set of planetary gears  186  to revolve around the first pinion gear  182  and drive the first gear holder  188  at a reduced speed and with an increased torque according to a first gear ratio between the first pinion gear  182  and the first planetary gears  186 . Similarly, the second pinion gear  190  is driven by the rotation of the first gear holder  188 . The rotation of the second pinion gear  190  causes the second set of planetary gears  192  to revolve around the second pinion gear  190  and drive the second gear holder  194  to rotate at a further reduced speed and a further increased torque according to a second gear ratio between the second pinion gear  190  and the second planetary gears  1192 . The rotation of the second gear holder  194  causes the attached transmission output shaft  158  to rotate. The rotation of the transmission output shaft  158  causes the hub  170  to rotate as well as any attached cleaning head  104 .  
         [0048]    Cleaning heads, such as, for example, cleaning head  104  are held in place by swaging cams  202 . The swaging cams are attached to the transmission output shaft  158 . For example, the swaging cams are molded to and unitary with a distal end  204  of the transmission output shaft  158 .  
         [0049]    It can be important to prevent water and other contaminants from entering the housing  102  of the cleaning tool  100 . Therefore, as mentioned above, the cleaning tool includes the seal  166  for preventing water and contaminants from entering the housing  102  near the point where the transmission output shaft  158  extends out of the housing  102 . An o-ring  203  seals the peripheral gear housing  154  against an inner wall of the upper housing or transmission module  108 . Additionally, as explained above, the button  146  performs a sealing function. Alternatively, the button  146  may have additional sealing components associated therewith. If the housing  102  includes a plurality of sections, such as, for example, lower housing or power compartment  106  and upper housing or transmission module  108 , a scaling component, such as a gasket  206 , should be included therebetween. Where the housing  102  includes a removable battery door  208  for gaining access to a power source or batteries  114 , a sealing element, such as an o-ring  210 , should be included thereon.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, a wide variety of work heads, such as cleaning head  104 , can be detachably connected to the hub  170  to complete the cleaning system  100 . For example, the cleaning head  104  can be a pot scrubber  404 , a glass washer  410 , a bottle washer  420 , or a general-purpose brush  430 . Each work head includes elements directed toward a particular task. For example, pot scrubber  404  includes relatively short, stiff and abrasive bristles  440 . It is anticipated that pot scrubbing may be a most demanding application of the cleaning system  100 . For example, pot scrubbing may require that the pot scrubbing head  404  be pressed firmly against the work piece such as, for example, a cooking pot having food particles tenaciously adhered thereto, with a relatively high level of force. Therefore, in order to minimize cleaning head deflection, the pot scrubbing head  404  includes a relatively short stout body  444 . Other work pieces, such as, for example, drinking glasses, are less likely to require the high level of cleaning effort associated with pots. Nevertheless, glassware provides its own set of cleaning challenges. For example, cleaning glasses can include long throats which make the recessed portions difficult to reach. Therefore, the glass washer  410  includes a long, narrow body  448  and somewhat softer bristles  452  as compared to the relatively stiff bristles  440  of the pot scrubber. The long body  448  and relatively soft, bendable bristles  452  allow the glass washer  410  to reach and clean portions of a work piece that may be inaccessible to other work heads.  
         [0051]    The bottle washer  420  includes features that make it preferable for cleaning bottles, such as, for example, baby bottles. Cleaning an individual baby bottle is not likely to be a particularly difficult task. However, where there is one baby bottle, there is likely to be a large number of other baby bottles. Therefore, a useful bottle washer quickly makes contact with all portions of the inner surface of a baby bottle in order to wipe away any residual, dried on milk or baby formula. Therefore, the bottle washer  420  includes a large number of individual brush filaments  464  distributed along a flexible wire shaft  468  and at a distal end  470  of the shaft. The wire shaft  468  is longer than a typical baby bottle. The brush filaments  464  are distributed along a portion of the shaft that is about at least as long as the depth of a typical baby bottle. The brush filaments  464  can be relatively soft and be directed more toward wiping than scraping. The bottle washer  420  includes short, stout connector portion  472  for connecting the wire shaft  468  to the hub  170 .  
         [0052]    The general purpose cleaning head  430  is of an intermediate length and may combine features of the pot scrubber  404  and, for example, the glass cleaner  410 . For example, it can include the relatively stiff bristles of the pot scrubber  404  and the somewhat softer bristles  452  of the glass cleaner  410 . A body portion  484  of the general purpose cleaning head  430  can be somewhat longer than the short, stout body  444  of the pot scrubber  404 .  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 6, with continued reference to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, work heads, such as, for example, the cleaning heads  104 ,  404 ,  410 ,  420  and  430  share certain features in common. For example, all the work heads include a connector section  610 . The connector section  610  includes a socket element  164  centered on a longitudinal axis  168  of the cleaning head. The socket includes a beveled leading edge  622  and a beveled trailing edge  624 . Additionally, the connector section  610  includes a ring of torque-receiving teeth  630 . The ring of torque-receiving teeth is concentric with the socket  614  about the longitudinal axis  618  of the cleaning head. In the exemplary embodiment, the socket element  614  is recessed into the cleaning head relative to the ring of torque-receiving teeth  630 . There are, for example, eight torque-receiving teeth in the ring. In some embodiments there are only 4 torque receiving teeth. Between adjacent torque-receiving teeth is an interdental space  634 . In the exemplary embodiment, there are eight interdental spaces  634 . In some embodiments there are 4 interdental spaces. The torque-receiving teeth  630  extend from a ring base  638 .  
         [0054]    As explained above, the connecting hub  170  includes a collar  174  that is fitted over an output portion  160  of transmission output shaft  158 . Pin  168  secures the collar  174  and, therefore, the hub  170 , to the transmission output shaft  158 . The hub  170  also includes, for example, four torque transmission arms  644 .  
         [0055]    During an installation or connection process, the swaging cams  202  of the distal end of the transmission output shaft  204  contact the leading beveled edge  622  of the socket  614 . As mating pressure is increased, the swaging cams  202  are deflected inwardly toward the longitudinal axis  618  of the working head. Eventually, the swaging cams slide over the beveled trailing edge  624  of the socket expanding outward away from the longitudinal axis  618 , firmly engaging an interior shoulder  650  of the socket  614 , thereby pulling the working head toward the hub  170  and securing the head as part of the cleaning system  100 .  
         [0056]    During this connection or mating process, the torque delivery arms  644  are received within at least some of the interdental spaces  634 . If an initial misalignment does not permit the torque-delivering arms  644  to be received within interdental spaces  634 , then the working head can be twisted slightly until the torque transmission arms  644  and the interdental spaces  638  are properly aligned.  
         [0057]    As explained above, when the transmission output shaft  158  is driven into rotation by the motor  128  and the transmission or drive mechanism  180 , the hub  170  is also driven into rotation by the pin  168  connecting the hub  170  to the transmission output shaft  158 . Therefore, the torque delivering arms  644  are also driven to rotate. By the time a work head is pressed against a work piece, the torque-delivering arms  644  are driven against respective teeth of the torque-receiving ring  630 , and the working head is driven to rotate. The ring of torque-receiving teeth  630  is spaced radially away from the longitudinal axis  618  of the working head. For example, an outer diameter of the ring of torque-receiving teeth  630  can be about 1 inch. The torque transmitting arms  644  extend away from the longitudinal axis  648  of the cleaning system  100 . For example, the torque transmitting arms  644  extend from the hub  174  to an inner wall  652  of the hub  170 . For example, the inner wall  652  and, therefore, a distal end  656  of the torque-delivering arms is at a radius of about ±2 inch from a longitudinal axis  648  of the cleaning system  100 . Torque-receiving teeth of the ring  630  are engaged by the torque transmission or delivery arms  644  at the distal end  656  of the arms  644 . The resulting moment arms provide for the delivery of torque to the work head at a reduced level of stress on the torque-receiving elements of the work head as compared to the level of stress delivered in prior art devices. Additionally, an increased radius of connecting elements such as the hub  170  and the connector section  610  of the work head allow additional material to be used in their manufacture, thereby increasing an overall ruggedness of the cleaning system  100  while maintaining an ergonomic design.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 7, the housing  102  has a generally cylindrical shape. However, portions are tapered away from the cylindrical to provide an ergonomically comfortable design. For example, a portion of the housing  102  is tapered to provide the ergonomic gripping portion  116 . For example, the gripping portion  116  can have a rounded rectangular cross section. Gripping portion  116  has a length  710  at least long enough to allow it to fit comfortably in a hand  714  of an intended user. For instance, the length  710  is between about 3 inches and about 5 inches. In one embodiment, the length  710  is about 3.5 inches. This length provides enough room for four gripping fingers  718  of the hand  714  of the intended user to fit comfortably within the gripping portion  116  while allowing a compact and comfortable overall length for the housing  102 . Similarly, a width  722  and a height  726  of the gripping portion are selected to allow the gripping portion  616  to fit comfortably within a palm  730  of the hand  714  of the intended user and allow the four gripping fingers  718  to wrap comfortably and securely around the gripping portion. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the length  710 , width  722  and height  726  of the gripping portion  116  are selected to allow an internal portion or chamber within the gripping portion  116  to accommodate a power source, such as, for example, four commonly available AA size batteries  114 .  
         [0059]    In the exemplary embodiment, the width  722  of the gripping portion is about one inch in width. For example, in one embodiment the width of the gripping portion  116  is tapered. The width of that gripping portion  116  varies from about 0.98 inches to about 1.1 inches. The height  726  of the gripping portion is about 1.4 inches. For example, in one embodiment the height of the gripping portion  116  is tapered. The height of that gripping portion  116  varies from about 1.34 inches to about 1.525 inches.  
         [0060]    The actuating button  146  is adjacent to a first or proximal end  731  of the gripping portion  116 . The button  146  is positioned so that a thumb  734  of the hand  714  gripping the gripping portion  116  can comfortably actuate the cleaning system  100  by pressing the button  146 . For example, a center  738  of the button  146  is spaced  742  from the first end of the gripping portions  116  by about ¾ of an inch to about 1 inch. It should be noted that the designation of the location of the first end of the gripping portion is somewhat arbitrary. Some observers consider the button  146  to be within a differently defined gripping portion of the cleaning system  100 . The description above is intended to be exemplary only and is not intended to limit the invention.  
         [0061]    When the housing  102  includes a plurality of sections, such as the lower housing or power compartment  106  and the upper housing or transmission module  108 , the cleaning system  100  can be readily adapted to particular cleaning tasks. For example, the upper housing or transmission module  108  can have a length  750  that is relatively short when the cleaning system  100  is directed toward kitchen cleaning tasks such as the washing of dishes, glasses and pots and pans. One embodiment directed toward these tasks includes an upper housing having a length  750  of about 2½ inches.  
         [0062]    When the cleaning system  100  is directed toward other tasks, the upper housing  108  can include features directed toward those tasks. For example, when the cleaning system  100  is directed toward cleaning a shower or bathtub area, the length  750  of the upper housing  108  can be longer. For instance, the length  750  of the upper housing  108  can be selected to give the overall cleaning system  100  a longer reach. For example, overall cleaning system lengths of about 14 inches to about 40 inches can be directed toward using the cleaning system to reach across a tub to clean walls adjacent thereto or to clean the tub itself without stooping or kneeling. Other sizes can accommodate the cleaning of a sink or other bathroom fixtures.  
         [0063]    When the housing  102  includes, for example, a lower housing  106  and an upper housing  108 , the cleaning system can be further adapted to particular cleaning tasks. For example, pot scrubbing may benefit from high torque being delivered to the cleaning head. On the other hand, bottle washing may benefit from high-speed brush rotation. Bathroom bowl cleaning may benefit from a slow brush rotation speed. Accordingly, an upper housing with a higher torque motor or a transmission that provides high torque at reduced speed can be installed when the cleaning system is to be directed toward cleaning pots and other items with baked and burned on food. In contrast, an upper housing with a high-speed motor or a lower gear ratio may be used in conjunction with a bottle-washing cleaning head such as bottle washer  420  so that all surfaces of the bottle can be quickly wiped clean and a next bottle can quickly be washed.  
         [0064]    The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations are included insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.