Patent Publication Number: US-9408513-B2

Title: Motorized scrubbing, buffing, and polishing tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/577,653, filed 19 Dec. 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to motorized tools. More particularly, disclosed herein is a waterproof, motorized scrubbing, buffing, and polishing tool of ergonomic configuration with interchangeable surface treatment pads for permitting varied surface treatments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It will be recognized that the prior art has disclosed numerous hand tools and methods for cleaning, polishing, and buffing household and similar surfaces. Most basically, for example, sponges with smooth and abrasive surfaces have been taught where a user can clean, polish, and buff a surface with sheer elbow grease. However, such methods and devices are cumbersome and often of limited effectiveness. 
     Motorized handheld cleaning tools are also disclosed by the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,674 to Schonewille et al. discloses a motorized handheld scrubbing tool. There, the scrubbing tool has a housing with a battery-powered motor that drives an output shaft. The output shaft in turn propels a cleaning attachment. The Schonewille et al. patent further includes a liquid delivery system that is quite complicated in structure and function with piston and valve assemblies and a pressurized reservoir for dispensing liquid household cleaners. In a similar vein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,625 to Siman teaches a motorized scrubbing machine that seeks to reduce the effort required for cleaning by use of rotating pads or brushes. Under the Siman invention, water and detergent can be supplied from a pipe inlet to pass through the pads for cleaning and rinsing. 
     These and further inventions have contributed usefully to the state of the art. However, it will be recognized that they are complex in construction and function. Moreover, these and similar cleaning tools are limited in their functionality and adaptability. 
     In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present inventor has appreciated that there is a recognized need for an improved motorized tool that can permit scrubbing, buffing, and polishing to be carried out efficiently and effectively in varied applications and in relation to multiple different surfaces and difficult to reach locations through tool adaptability and improved functionality, all with reduced manual effort by the user. 
     SUMMARY DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention was founded on the basic object of creating a motorized cleaning scrubbing, buffing, and polishing tool that permits such tasks to be carried out efficiently and effectively with reduced user effort. A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a motorized tool with an ergonomic configuration that can be gripped and manipulated comfortably and effectively and that can additionally or alternatively be retained and manipulated by an elongate handle for use as a floor model or otherwise for extended access. Still another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a motorized tool with interchangeable surface treatment pads for permitting varied surface treatments, including scrubbing, buffing, and polishing. A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a motorized tool that is watertight and, ideally, buoyant for use in wet applications, including bath, kitchen, outdoor, and marine applications. 
     These and further objects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to enjoy the use of an embodiment of the motorized tool disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential object and advantage. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventor&#39;s contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a view in side elevation of a motorized tool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the motorized tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view in side elevation of the motorized tool pursuant to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the motorized tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a model of the motorized tool disclosed herein being gripped by a user; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the model of the motorized tool disclosed herein being alternatively gripped by a user; 
         FIG. 7A  is a sectioned view in side elevation of a motorized tool according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a sectioned view in side elevation of an alternative motorized tool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded view of the motorized tool of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the motorized tool of  FIG. 7B ; 
         FIG. 8C  is an exploded view of another motorized tool pursuant to the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a motorized tool as disclosed herein floating in a body of water; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a motorized tool with the surface treatment pad about to be snapped into place relative to the housing; 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the motorized tool ejecting the surface treatment pad into a waste receptacle; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are views in side elevation of surface treatment pads as disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are top plan views of the surface treatment pad of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  respectively; 
         FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D  are perspective views of alternative surface treatment pads; 
         FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C  are views in side elevation, front elevation, and perspective of the motorized tool and a charging stand therefor; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative surface treatment pad as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 16A  is a top plan view of a motorized tool with a liquid reservoir; 
         FIG. 16B  is a view in side elevation of the motorized tool with a liquid reservoir of  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 16C  is a perspective view of the liquid reservoir apart from the motorized tool; and 
         FIG. 16D  is a perspective view of the motorized tool with a liquid reservoir. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention for a motorized tool is subject to widely varied embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. 
     Turning more particularly to the drawings, a first embodiment of the motorized tool disclosed herein is indicated generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . There, the motorized tool  10  is founded on a housing  12 . As can be seen with additional reference to  FIG. 8 , the housing  12  in this embodiment is formed of first and second housing halves  12 A and  12 B. The housing can be formed, such as by molding or any other method, of a durable material, whether it be plastic, metal, or some other material or combination thereof. In one contemplated embodiment, the housing  12  is formed from injection-molded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic with a haircell texture. 
     As depicted, the housing  12  has a knob-like, bulbous upper portion  18 , a broadened base portion  19 , and a contoured narrowed portion with a recessed mid-portion  20  therebetween. The upper portion  18  of the housing  12  can be considered to have an anterior portion, which terminates in a tip  58 , and a posterior portion. When the tool  10  is disposed in a flat, upright disposition with a surface treatment pad  24  retained relative to the base portion  19  as in  FIG. 1 , the base portion  19  of the housing  12  projects beyond the tip  58 , such as by approximately 1.3 inches in particular embodiments. With that, the tool  10  can be operated without the user&#39;s fingers being scraped or crushed against a work surface. Immediately below the tip  58 , the housing  12  has the recessed mid-portion  20  to promote gripping by a user. Immediately below the posterior portion of the upper portion  18  of the housing  12  is a charging cradle slot  22 , which will be described further hereinbelow. The charging cradle slot  22  is recessed in relation to the posterior portion of the upper portion  18  whereby the upper portion  28  presents a larger, bulbous member as the upper portion  18  in comparison to the narrowed portion presented by the recess  20  in combination with the recessed charging cradle slot  22 . 
     Textured gripping sections  14 ,  15 , and  16  of high friction, vibration absorbing material are retained relative to the housing  12  to permit the motorized tool  10  to be gripped and manipulated most effectively and comfortably. Moreover, the textured gripping sections  14 ,  15 , and  16  ensure positive gripping even when the tool  10  is wet and/or slippery. In one embodiment, the gripping sections  14 ,  15 , and  16  are of low durometer, high friction material, such as textured rubber. The gripping sections  14 ,  15 , and  16  could be disposed and retained in any effective manner within the scope of the invention except as it might expressly be limited. 
     In the present embodiment, the gripping sections  14 ,  15 , and  16  are overmolded in relation to the housing  12 . The central gripping section  14  spans from the top of the upper portion of the housing  12  beyond a midpoint thereof and anteriorly to overlie the anterior portion of the housing  12 , including the tip  58 . First and second lateral gripping sections  16  are disposed to opposite sides of the bulbous upper portion  18  of the housing  12  and span above and below the broadest portion thereof at their longitudinal position on the housing  12 . Finally, the base gripping portions  15  provide affirmative gripping surfaces along the base portion  19  of the housing  12  generally at a mid-portion thereof. Moreover, as described further hereinbelow, the base gripping portions  15  act as release/eject buttons that permit a user to eject or release surface treatment pads  24  automatically for cleaning or replacement. 
     Under this arrangement, the motorized tool  10  can be effectively gripped in an over-handed fashion with the user&#39;s hand generally centered in relation to a longitudinal centerline of the tool  10  with the forefingers of the user&#39;s hand  100  overlying the tip  58  of the anterior portion of the housing  12  as in  FIG. 5 . The motorized tool  10  can also be gripped effectively as in  FIG. 6  where the thumb of the user&#39;s hand  100  engages the left side gripping section  16  and the user&#39;s forefinger and potentially subsequent fingers would engage the right side gripping section  16 . As constructed, the motorized tool  10  has at least a 15-25 degree zone over which gripping is particularly sound ergonomically. 
     A more detailed understanding of the structure and operation of the motorized tool  10  can be had with further reference to  FIGS. 7A and 8A  where the tool  10  is shown in cross-sectional and exploded views. There, the tool  10  can be seen to have a motor  28  retained in place by an inner framework  45 , which in this example is molded into the housing halves  12 A and  12 B. The framework  45  additionally retains several other components as described herein. The housing halves  12 A and  12 B are secured together by a plurality of fasteners  55  received through apertures in the housing half  12 B and into threaded bosses  38  in housing half  12 A. Of course, the type and power of the motor  28  can vary depending on, among other things, the application and manufacturing costs. In certain embodiments, for example, the motor  28  can be a 12 Volt, brushed DC motor. 
     The motor  28  is powered by one or more power supplies comprising batteries  30 , which again can vary in type and size, through electrical wiring  32 . The battery  30 , which could be fixed in place or removable and replaceable, is retained in a battery housing  35 . The battery  30  could take the form of a lithium polymer battery and will preferably be rechargeable with the inclusion of a recharge induction coil  34 . The battery  30  could have a range of 7.4 to 11.1, 14.8, 15.6-18, or even 18.5 Volts depending on the embodiment. An overcharge cutoff circuit can be included in the circuit board  42 , which can be interposed within the electrical system for preventing damage due to overcharging and overloads. Although perhaps less preferable, it will be recognized that embodiments of the invention could alternatively or additionally be powered by alternating current, such as through an electrical cord plugged into a power source. 
     Operation of the motor  28  can be actuated by a switch  26 , which in the present embodiment is embedded in the tip  58  of the central gripping section  14 . As seen in  FIGS. 7A and 8A , the switch  26  can be a depression switch. Alternatively, the switch  58  could be a toggle switch or any other effective type of switch. The motor  28  has an eccentric output rod  46  that is received through a cast alloy flywheel  56  and into a sealed roller bearing  40 . The roller bearing  40  in turn is received into a correspondingly shaped aperture  54  in a base plate  44 . 
     As will be described further hereinbelow, a surface treatment pad  24  is removably and replaceably coupled to the base plate  44 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10A , the coupling is by a snap-fit engagement between four resilient, annular engaging protuberances or buttons  48  on the dorsal surface of a base platform  60  of the surface treatment pad  24  in combination with four correspondingly sized and located apertures  65  or indentations in the base plate  44 . 
     Surface treatment pads  24  can thus be selectively removed and replaced, such as when worn or when a different application is desired, by a simple snapping or unsnapping of the pad  24  into or out of engagement with the base plate  44  as suggested by  FIG. 10A . It should be noted that the base platforms  60  and the surface treatment pads  24  could be disengaged from the base plate  44  either manually, automatically, or by some combination thereof. 
     In  FIG. 10B , the motorized tool  10  permits ejection of surface treatment pads  24 . There, the base platform  60  of the surface treatment pad  24  again has four protuberances  48  that act to stabilize the surface treatment pads  24  and that project dorsally therefrom for being received into correspondingly spaced apertures or indentations  65  in the base plate  44 . Here, however, the protuberances  48  are merely received into the indentations  65  for registering the location and orientation of the surface treatment pad  24  relative to the base plate  44 . The surface treatment pad  24  is selectively fixed relative to the base plate  44  by a mating engagement between engaging tabs  80  that project dorsally from the lateral edges of the base platform  60  with locking slots  17  disposed in or outboard of the base plate  44 . Each locking slot  17  includes a ridge or other locking mechanism for selectively fixing the engaging tabs  80  and thus the surface treatment pad  24  in place. The engaging tabs  80  and the surface treatment pad  24  can be released by a pressing of the release buttons of the gripping portions  15 . 
     Looking again to  FIGS. 7A and 8A  in combination with  FIGS. 1 through 6 , operation of an embodiment of the motorized tool  10  can be more fully understood. During use of the motorized tool  10 , actuation of the motor  28  by use of the switch  26  will induce an eccentric rotation of the output rod  46 . The eccentric movement of the output rod  46  in turn produces an eccentric movement of the roller bearing  40 , and the eccentric movement of the roller bearing  40  produces a movement or vibration of the base plate  44 , such as an oscillation, a reciprocation, or some other movement. With a surface treatment pad  24  retained relative to the base plate  44 , motorized cleaning scrubbing, buffing, and polishing can be carried out with the motorized tool  10  efficiently and effectively with reduced user effort as compared to manual efforts. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 8A , a plurality of flexible rods  36 , in this case four rods  36  potentially with rubber end bushings, connect the base plate  44  to the framework  45  by having proximal ends received and retained by housings  47  in the framework  45  and distal ends received into apertures  52  in the base plate  44 . The flexible rods  36  thus provide vibration isolation between the vibrating base plate  44  and the remainder of the tool  10 . 
     The housing  12  is preferably watertight to permit use of the motorized tool  10  in wet applications, such as the scrubbing of showers and sinks, in outdoor applications, in marine applications, and in similarly wet environments. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , for instance, a watertight construction is achieved through a sealed engagement between the housing halves  12 A and  12 B and through a watertight boot  50  that engages a rim  51  on the bottom portions of the housing halves  12 A and  12 B and matingly engages a correspondingly shaped and sized channel in the surface treatment pad  24 . Moreover, the motor  28  itself can be encased in a waterproof housing formed by the framework  45 . 
     When fully assembled, the motorized tool  10  will preferably have an ingress protection (IP) rating of  6 - 7  with the number  6  indicating that the tool  10  will lock out all dust particles and the  7  representing that the tool  10  can be submersed in one meter of water for thirty minutes. In preferred embodiments, the motorized tool  10  will be buoyant such that the tool  10  will tend to float in a body of water  200  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Moreover, embodiments of the tool  10  are contemplated wherein the distribution of mass within the tool  10  is balanced with one or more air pockets formed in the bulbous upper portion  18  such that the tool  10  will float in an upright position with the bulbous upper portion  18  projecting above the surface of the body of water  200  and the base portion  19  disposed therebelow. Other means for inducing sufficient buoyancy can be used in addition or alternatively to the air pocket. For instance, buoyant foam padding can be retained inside or outside of the housing  12 . In any event, the cumulative buoyancy established by the means for inducing buoyancy will overcome the weight of the tool  10  to permit the tool  10  to float as described. 
     An alternative embodiment of the motorized tool  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 7B and 8B . There, the tool  10  again has a motor  28  retained in place by an inner framework  45  that is again molded into the housing halves  12 A and  12 B. The housing halves  12 A and  12 B are secured together by a plurality of fasteners  55  received through apertures in the housing half  12 B and into threaded bosses  38  in housing half  12 A. The motor  28  is powered by one or more batteries  30  that can be rechargeable through a recharge induction coil  34 . Overcharging can be prevented by an overcharge cutoff circuit  42 . The motor  28  can be actuated by a switch  26 , which is again embedded in the tip  58  of the central gripping section  14 . The motor  28  has an eccentric output rod  46  that is received through a cast alloy flywheel  56  and into a sealed roller bearing  40 . The roller bearing  40  in turn is received into a correspondingly shaped aperture  54  in a base plate  44 . A surface treatment pad  24  can again be selectively retained relative to the base plate  44 . 
     Four flexible rods  36  with rubber end bushings connect the base plate  44  to the framework  45  by having proximal ends received and retained by housings  47  in the framework  45  and distal ends received into apertures  52  in the base plate  44 . The flexible rods  36  thus provide vibration isolation between the vibrating base plate  44  and the remainder of the tool  10 . Here, however, the housing halves  12 A and  12 B have bottom walls  57  with lateral slots  59  therein through which the flexible rods  36  pass. Elongate sealing membranes  108  comprising flat polymeric members occupy the lateral slots  59  and receive the flexible rods  36  therethrough, a polymeric sealing gasket  88  is interposed between the housing halves  12 A and  12 B, and a watertight boot  50  engages the bottom of the housing  12 . With this, the sealing gasket  88 , the sealing membranes  108 , and the watertight boot  50  cooperate to form a watertight barrier between the inner volume of the housing  12  and the exterior of the housing  12 , including in relation to the base plate  44 . A watertight inner compartment is thus established within the housing  12 . Accordingly, the base plate  44  can be driven by the motor  28  while remaining fluidically segregated from the watertight inner compartment. 
     The motorized tool  10  again will preferably have an ingress protection (IP) rating of  6 - 7  with the number  6  indicating that the tool  10  will lock out all dust particles and the  7  representing that the tool  10  can be submersed in one meter of water for thirty minutes. The motorized tool  10  will preferably be buoyant such that the tool  10  will tend to float in a body of water  200  as shown in  FIG. 9  and as described previously. 
     It will be appreciated that, while the motorized tool  10  has primarily been depicted as being handheld, it is possible and within the scope of the invention for a handle  102  to be additionally or alternatively employed, such as through a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection, or a ball and detent  104  and  106  combination as in  FIGS. 7B and 8B . With the provision of such a handle  102 , the tool  10  could enjoy still further application in hard to reach or remote locations, such as the upper reaches of a shower, behind a toilet, or a higher portion of a wall. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , the housing halves  12 A and  12 B have first and second receptacle halves  96 A and  96 B that are molded into the housing halves  12 A and  12 B and that together form a receptacle  96  as in  FIG. 7A . The receptacle  96  is fluidically sealed in relation to the fluidtight inner compartment of the housing  12 . A wand handle  102  with a resiliently deflectable ball  104  adjacent to a distal end thereof can be selectively received into the receptacle  96  with the ball  104  engaging with the detent  106 . When not in use, the receptacle  96  can be covered by a cap  98 , which can be a polymeric cap that is hingedly or otherwise connected to the housing  12  as shown most clearly in  FIG. 7B . The wand handle  102  can vary depending on, among other things, the expected application of the motorized tool  10 . In one contemplated embodiment, the wand handle  102  comprises telescoping construction of steel, aluminum, plastic, or some other material or combination thereof. 
       FIGS. 7B and 8B  also show a further refinement of the invention in the form of a heat sink housing  94  that envelops all or a portion of the motor  28 . The heat sink housing  94  can be formed from a material with a high heat transfer coefficient, such as by being formed of a tightly toleranced, aluminum or similar alloy. The heat sink housing  94  draws heat away from the motor  28 . To improve heat removal, heat sink arms  110  project laterally from the heat sink housing  94  and terminate in heat sink surface flanges  112 . The flanges  112  can in certain embodiments be in direct contact with or immediately adjacent to the exterior wall surface of the housing  12 . In the depicted embodiment, however, the housing  12  has heat sink flange apertures  114  therein that allow the flanges  112  to be exposed to the exterior of the housing  12 . The flanges  112  can be formed to establish a continuous, contoured surface with the housing halves  12 A and  12 B. While two heat sink arms  110  and flanges  112  are shown, it will be understood that more or fewer heat sink arms  110  and flanges  112  could be employed. 
     Of course, the heat sink arms  110  and flanges  112  can be readily incorporated into alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8C , the heat sink housing  94 , arms  110 , and flanges  112  are again employed in an embodiment where no receptacle  96  is provided. The motorized tool  10  of  FIG. 8C  again seeks to achieve many of the advantages and functions described previously. 
     To address the possibility of excessive heat buildup even with the presence of the heat sink arms  110  and flanges  112 , the motorized tool  10  of  FIG. 7B  additionally incorporates a thermal motor sensor switch  90 , which is attached to or near the motor housing  94 . The thermal motor sensor switch  90  will open the electrical motor circuit to shut down the motor  28  to permit a cooling thereof. Actuation of the thermal motor sensor switch  90  can in certain embodiments incorporate or be in communication with a timer to prevent motor operation for a predetermined period or until a predetermined temperature is reached. An overcharge cut-off circuit  92  can additionally be interposed in the electrical system to prevent excessive charging of the battery  30 . 
     Still further, the motorized tool  10  can incorporate a recharge warning to advise a user of an imminent need for recharging the tool  10 . For example, the circuit board  42  can include circuitry to induce a warning when complete battery depletion is approaching within a predetermined time period, such as two minutes. The warning could, for example, comprise a pulsation of the motorized tool  10  a given number of times by an automated powering on and off of the tool  10  during operation. Alternatively, the motor  28  could progressively reduce operational speed in stages in anticipation of a loss in batter power. By way of example, the motor  28  shall begin a slowdown with three minutes of power remaining, a further slowdown with two minutes of power remaining, and then a final slowdown to total cessation of operation with one minute of power remaining. 
     First and second embodiments of surface treatment pads  24  are shown alone in  FIGS. 11A and 12A and 11B and 12B  respectively. In  FIG. 11A , it can be perceived that the surface treatment pad  24  has the base platform  60 , which is preferably a rigid member that can be crafted of, for example, plastic, metal, or some combination or variation thereof. Multiple engaging protuberances  48  again project form the dorsal surface of the base platform  60  and a surface engaging member  72  is fixed to the ventral surface of the base platform  60 . In  FIGS. 11A and 12A , the protuberances  48  are designed for snap-fit engagement. In  FIGS. 11B and 12B , the protuberances  48  comprise mere projections, and engaging tabs  80  project from the outboard lateral edges of the base platform  60 . In each example, the surface engaging member  72  is generally boat shaped with a pointed anterior end, curved sides, and a rounded posterior end. While details could vary depending on a number of factors, including the application, the sides meet at a substantially 90-degree angle to form the anterior end in this embodiment. The surface engaging member  72  in  FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B  tapers from its most distal surface toward the base platform  60 . 
     By reference to  FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D , one will appreciate that the character of the surface engaging member  72  can vary widely within the scope of the invention depending on the task at hand. By way of example and not limitation, a surface engaging member  72  with plastic bristles forming the surface engaging member  72  as in  FIG. 13A  could be employed to scrub and otherwise clean pots and pans, stoves, ovens, car wheels, and other surfaces to remove baked-on or caked-on food, road grime, mud, or other debris. A similar surface engaging member  72  could have metal bristles, which could be useful for cleaning barbecue grills, stovetops, oven grills, and similarly tough surfaces. In other embodiments, as in  FIG. 13B , the surface engaging member  72  can be formed by a sponge, whether natural or synthetic and of varied coarseness, to clean, for example, tile, stone, pebble, glass, porcelain, stainless steel, or vinyl of kitchens, baths, toilets, showers, sinks, back-splashes, and any other appropriate surface. Suitably chosen sponges or scrunges can easily remove soap-scum, mold and mildew, dirt, grime, grease, water stains, calcium build-up, and other undesirable surface remnants with markedly reduced manual effort by the user as compared to traditional methods. Still further, as seen in  FIG. 13C , it is contemplated to provide surface engaging members  72  comprising a fabric, such as a chamois cloth or faux lambskin, stretched over a base member and with rounded and/or flexible edges for polishing or buffing anything from stainless steel appliances, chrome parts on cars and motorcycles, tile, marble, quarts, granite, wood surfaces, including furniture, or any other surface that might be so treated. Additionally, as in  FIG. 13D , the surface engaging member  72  comprises a scrungy, abrasive pad, such as might be particularly useful for removing soap scum, mold, mildew, dirt, calcium buildup, and other undesirable material from substantially any surface, wet or dry. 
     In any event, the preferred surface treatment pads  24  will be dishwasher safe to permit convenient reuse. Moreover, the peripheral edges of the pads  24 , including the tip of the pads  24 , will preferably be soft and pliable to permit a flexible application and reaching in relation to, for example, corners, sinks, pots, pans, crevices, and innumerable other applications. In practice, replacement surface treatment pads  24  can be sold in variety packs, individually, or with multiple pads  24  of similar design. Surface treatment pads  24  can potentially be manufactured with impregnated detergent, polishing crème, and other surface treatment materials. 
     As noted previously, the surface treatment pads  24  can be manually or automatically discharged from the base plate  44  and the main housing  12  of the tool  10 . Further details of the surface treatment pad  24  can be seen in  FIG. 15 . There, the surface treatment pad  24  again can be seen to have a surface engaging member  72  secured to a base platform  60 . Here, however, the surface engaging member  72  can additionally have longitudinal channels  82  therein for receiving correspondingly shaped and located rails  84  that project from the ventral surface of the base platform  60 . The rails  84  could be barbed or otherwise formed to positively engage the surface engaging member  72 . Moreover, adhesive  86  can be employed to provide a still more durable connection between the member  72  and the platform  60 . Also depicted in  FIG. 15  are the connection and ejection tabs  80  that are fixed at the outboard edges of the base platform  60 . The tabs  80  can be engaged with retention and ejection mechanisms on the housing  12  for permitting secure retention and automatic ejection of the surface treatment pad  24  in a substantially hands-free manner for disposal or cleaning. As noted previously, in such an embodiment, the engaging rings  48  need not necessarily provide a snap-fit and can merely ensure proper orientation and movement. 
     The battery  30  for the tool  10  will preferably be rechargeable. To that end, a correspondingly contoured charging cradle  62  can be provided for receiving, retaining, and recharging the motorized tool  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C . There, the charging cradle  62  can be seen to have a base housing  74  that has an upstanding base plate  76  for engaging the surface treatment pad  24  or the base plate  44  where the pad  24  is removed. Opposed, ramped lateral slots  66  slidably receive the surface treatment pad  24  when it is attached to the housing  12 , but it will be appreciated that the tool  10  can be engaged with the charging cradle  62  with the pad  24  removed therefrom. Opposed lateral retaining ridges  68  matingly engage the opposed charging cradle slots  22  in the housing  12 . Electrical contacts  78  transmit recharging power to the battery  30 , or the recharging could be done using wireless technology. A status LED light  64  can provide an indication of the charging status of the battery  30 . The base of the charging cradle  62  can have a drip basin and/or slot therein, such as at the back thereof, for permitting any residual liquid to drain from the tool pad  24 . 
     Based on the foregoing, it will be clear that the motorized tool  10  can permit cleaning, scrubbing, buffing, polishing and other tasks in wet and dry environments with significantly less effort than under traditional methods while potentially reducing the need for detergents and chemicals. Most household, vehicle, marine, and other cleaning jobs are rendered easier and more convenient with less demand on the body of the user. The user&#39;s fingertips, effort, and time are all conserved, and users can save time through added efficiency. The motorized scrubbing, buffing, and polishing tool  10  is multi-functional and subject to innumerable applications without a need for power cords. The vibrating and pulsating household tool  10  can scrub, buff, polish, and clean through electrically charged friction. The tool  10  can clean without scratching and abrade without leaving unsightly marks. The waterproof housing  12  permits use in wet or dry applications, and the preferred construction materials render the housing  12 , the gripping surfaces  14  and  16 , and the pads  24  impervious to chemicals, such as bleach, acid, and the like. 
     A further potential refinement of the motorized tool  10  can be understood with additional reference to  FIGS. 16A through 16D . There, the motorized tool  10  further includes a reservoir  116  that can be removably engaged with the body portion  12  of the motorized tool  10 . The reservoir  116  has a body portion  118  that defines an open inner volume for retaining a volume of material, such as a cleaning fluid, water, or some other volume of liquid, gel, powder, or a combination or variation thereof. The body portion  118  can be formed, such as by blow molding, of a clear, preferably flexible material, such as polyethylene. 
     The body portion  118  of the reservoir  116  can be considered to have an anterior portion, which retains a dispensing tip  126 , and a posterior portion, which retains a filling aperture/cap  128 . Material can be added through the filling aperture/cap  128  and dispensed through the dispensing tip  126 . The filling aperture/cap  128  and, potentially, the dispensing tip  126  can be threadedly retained such that filling and dispensing can be selectively permitted. The body portion  118  has a central aperture  120  that substantially corresponds in shape to the shape of the recessed portion  20  of the housing  12  and that is defined at its posterior portion by first and second resiliently deflectable legs  122  and  124 . With this, the reservoir  116  can be selectively engaged with the body portion  12  by deflecting the legs  122  and  124 . 
     When the reservoir  116  is engaged as in  FIGS. 16  A, B, and D, the dispensing tip  126  is angled to squirt retained liquid or other material toward a work surface. In certain embodiments, the dispensing tip  126  can be angled and constructed to squirt material at a predetermined angle anterior to the tip of the pad  24 , such as between at least two inches and as much as five inches. Where the body portion  118  is flexible, dispensing of retained material can be actuated simply by squeezing or otherwise compressing the body portion. In the depicted embodiment, first and second resilient squeeze buttons  130  with bellows-type sidewalls are disposed along the outboard surfaces of the body portion  118 . With that, the buttons  130  can be selectively depressed pressurize the open inner volume of the body portion  118  and thereby to squirt material from the body portion  118  onto a work surface. A one-way valve, such as a soft durometer rubber valve incorporated into the filling aperture/cap  128 , can be included to permit the introduction of air when necessary. 
     With certain details and embodiments of the present invention for a motorized tool  10  disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with certain major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments. 
     Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventor. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof that might be now known or hereafter discovered.