Patent Publication Number: US-8122554-B2

Title: Scrubbing device

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a hand-held cleaning apparatus and more particularly to a hand-held, motorized scrubbing tool. 
     Hand-held, motorized scrubbing brushes are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,917,760 discloses a drill-powered floor scrubbing tool and U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,014 discloses a hand-held, motorized scrubbing brush. While such tools are effective for their intended purposes, they are nonetheless susceptible to improvement. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form, the present teachings provide an apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture. 
     In another form, the present teachings provide a method that includes: providing a main unit with a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and coupled to the battery, and an output shaft driven by the motor; providing a dispenser having a body, the body defining a body aperture and having a reservoir; coupling a clamp to one of the main unit and the dispenser; inserting the housing to the body aperture; and pivoting the clamp relative to the clamp structure to engage the clamp to the clamp structure to thereby retain the dispenser to the main unit. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hand-held motorized cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the main unit and the dispenser in more detail; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective of the main unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the main unit; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a portion of the main unit; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the body, the cylinder, the nozzle, the first valve and the second valve of the dispenser; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating the clamp and a portion of the dispenser in greater detail; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the dispenser, illustrating the rod and piston in more detail; 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal section view of a portion of the dispenser illustrating the nozzle, the first valve and the second valve in more detail; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the main unit; 
         FIG. 13  is a longitudinal section view taken through a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the insertion of the main unit to the dispenser prior to the coupling of the clamp and the clamp structure; 
         FIG. 14  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 13  but illustrates the main unit as being fully installed to the dispenser and the clamp as coupled to the clamp structure; 
         FIG. 15  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 14 , but illustrates the clamp as being manipulated to disengage the clamp structure to permit the main unit to be withdrawn from the dispenser; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main unit with another accessory constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the accessory of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the main unit with yet another accessory constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are perspective views illustrating the main unit with further accessories constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, a hand-held motorized cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The hand-held motorized cleaning apparatus (apparatus)  10  can include a main unit  12 , a dispenser  14 , a clamp  16 , and a clamp structure  18 . The clamp  16  and the clamp structure  18  permit the main unit  12  and the dispenser  14  to be removably coupled to one another. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the main unit  12  can include a housing  20 , a battery assembly  22 , and a motor assembly  24 . With additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the housing  20  can define a handle  30 , a first extension portion  32  and a second extension portion  34 . The first extension portion  32  can extend generally perpencidular to the handle  30 . The second extension portion  34  can extend generally perpendicularly to the first extension portion  32 . The second extension portion  34  can have a longitudinal axis  36  that can be skewed to a longitudinal axis  38  of the handle  30 . In the particular example provided, an included angle  40  of about 120° to about 170° is defined between the longitudinal axis  36  of the second extension portion  34  and the longitudinal axis  38  of the handle  30 . For purposes herein, the term “included angle” is defined as being the smallest angle between two components, such as the second extension portion  34  and the handle  30 , rather than the smallest angle between their respective longitudinal axes. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , the housing  20  can include a first housing shell  50 , a second housing shell  52 , a gasket  54 , a grip portion  56  and a housing cap  58 . The first housing shell  50  and/or and second housing shell  52  can define a hollow cavity or battery aperture  60  in the handle  30  into which the battery assembly  22  can be received. The first and second housing shells  50  and  52  can also cooperate to form a hollow cavity or motor assembly aperture  62  in the second extension portion  34  into which the motor assembly  24  can be received. The gasket  54  can be disposed between the first and second housing shells  50  and  52 , as well as between the motor assembly  24  and the first and second housing half shells  50  and  52 . The first and second housing shells  50  and  52  can be coupled together via a plurality of screws  64 . The grip portion  56  can be a discretely formed structure that can be coupled to the first housing shell  50  and/or the second housing shell  52 , or could be formed by overmolding a suitable material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, over selected portions of the first and second housing shells  50  and  52 , such as the structure into which the battery aperture  60  is formed. 
     The battery assembly  22  can include a rechargeable battery set  70 , a switch  72  and power leads (not specifically shown) that can be formed of wire. The battery assembly  22  can be received into battery aperture  60  in the handle  30  of the housing  20  such that the battery set  70  is located in the handle  30 , the switch  72  extends through a switch aperture  76  that is formed in the first housing shell  50 , and the power leads are routed through the housing  20  and interconnected to the motor assembly  24 . An appropriate means may be employed to seal the interface between the switch  72  and the housing  20  to resist infiltration of liquid into the interior of the housing  20 . For example, the grip portion  56  can be an overmolded thermoplastic elastomer material that can be employed to seal this interface. Alternatively, a seal (not shown), which may be a discretely formed component or which may be formed from an appropriate sealant material, can be employed to seal the interface between the switch  70  and the housing  20 . 
     The housing cap  58  can be employed to close the open end of the battery aperture  60 . With brief additional reference to  FIGS. 6 and 12 , the housing cap  58  can include a port  80  through which a recharging terminal  82  associated with the battery assembly  22  is accessible. The housing cap  58  can further include a lid  84  to close the port  80  to guard against infiltration of debris and/or liquids into the interior of the housing  20  through the port  80 . The lid  84  can be integrally formed with an elastomeric cover  86  that can be coupled to the housing cap  58 . The elastomeric cover  86  can be a thermoplastic elastomer that can be molded onto the housing cap  58  or could be a discrete component that can be coupled to the housing cap  58 . 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various gaskets and/or overmolds (e.g., gasket  54 , grip portion  56 , elastomeric cover  86  and lid  84 ) can be employed to seal the apparatus  10 , either in part or in whole, so that it (or portions of it) may be submerged in a suitable liquid, such as water. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the motor assembly  24  can include a gear case  90 , a motor  92 , a transmission  94  and an output member  96 . The gear case  90  can include first and second longitudinally extending case halves  100  and an end plate  102  that can be coupled together to define a container-like structure having a hole  104  formed therethrough. The exterior of the gear case  90  can include a plurality of circumferentially extending ribs  106 , as well as a circumferential land  108  that is configured to abut and sealingly engage the gasket  54 . The transmission  94  can be a planetary-type transmission that can interconnect an output shaft  110  of the motor  92  to the output member  96  to permit the motor  92  to drive the output member  96 . The transmission  94  is received into the gear case  90  and the motor  92  can be press-fit into the gear case  90 . The motor  92  can be operated to drive the output member  96  in a predetermined direction or could be a reversible motor whose rotational direction may be chosen by the operator via an input means, such as a three position power switch (not shown) that would be substituted for the switch  72 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the motor assembly  24  can be received through the motor assembly aperture  62  such that the motor  92  can be coupled to the wires and the gasket  54  disposed about the gear case  90 . The first and second housing shells  50  and  52  can each include flanges  120  that are configured to clamp about the gear case  90 . More particularly, the gasket  54  is disposed between the flanges  120  and the gear case  90  and the flanges  120  transmit a compressive force (generated by the screws  64 ) that clamps the gear case  90  in place as well as sealingly engages the gasket  54  to both the housing  20  and the gear case  90 . Locking features  122  can be formed onto the gear case  90  and/or the motor  92  and can be employed to engage mating features  124  on the housing  20  to non-rotatably couple the motor assembly  24  to the housing  20 . In the particular example provided, the locking features  122  include a longitudinally extending slot formed in the gear case  90 , while the mating features  124  include a rib that is formed on the first housing shell  50  and which is received into the slot (i.e., the locking feature  122 ) when the motor assembly  24  is mounted to the housing  20 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , the dispenser  14  can include a body  150 , a piston  152 , a rod  154 , and a lock  156 . The body  150  can include a body housing  160 , a cylinder  162 , a nozzle  164 , a first valve  166  and a second valve  168 . The body housing  160  and/or the cylinder  162  can define a reservoir  170 . In the particular embodiment illustrated, the body housing  160  and the cylinder  162  cooperate to define the reservoir  170  for storage of a suitable cleaning fluid, such as water. The body housing  160  can define a body aperture  172 , a fill neck  174  and a conduit  176 . The body aperture  172  can be sized to receive the handle  30  of the main unit  12 . The body aperture  172  can be formed through the body housing  160 , but in the example provided an end wall  178  substantially closes a rear end of the body aperture  172 . The fill neck  174  can be a threaded nipple that can be coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir  170 . A filler cap  180  or other suitable closure means, such as a stopper, can be coupled (e.g., threadably coupled) to the filler cap  180 . The conduit  176  can be integrally formed with the body housing  160 . 
     The nozzle  164  can be coupled (e.g., threadably coupled) to the conduit  176 . In the particular example provided, the nozzle  164  includes an internal hollow stem  190 , a plurality of relatively small diameter nozzle apertures  192 , which are disposed about the hollow stem  190 , and an annular wall member  194 . Optionally, a screen or suitable filter can be fitted over or into the hollow stem  190  to prevent ingress of relatively large sized particles into the nozzle  164 . 
     With specific reference to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the first valve  166  can be disposed between the reservoir  170  and the nozzle  164 . The first valve  166  can be a normally closed valve but can open to permit fluid communication therethrough in response to application of a pressure differential thereon that exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold. In the particular example provided, the first valve  166  is a burst valve (i.e., a “no-drip” valve) that is formed of a resilient material and which includes a pair of intersecting but self-closing slits  200  and an annular seal member  202  that can be disposed between an end of the conduit  176  and the annular wall member  194  of the nozzle  164 . 
     The second valve  168  can be a one-way valve that can be coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir  170 . In the particular example provided, the second valve  168  is a duck-bill valve that is formed of a resilient material. The second valve  168  can have a hollow-cylindrical body  208  that can be received over and seal the outer diameter of the hollow stem  190  of the nozzle  164 , and a pair of lip members  210  that are biased inwardly to cause the lip members  210  to seal against one another. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the piston  152  can be slidably movably received in the cylinder  162 . The piston  152  can carry one or more seal rings  230  that can sealingly engage an inner diameter of the cylinder  162 . The rod  154  can be fixedly coupled to the piston  152  (e.g., via a transverse pin or screw, not shown) and can define a second handle  234 . It will be appreciated that the rod  154  may be moved to cause a corresponding movement of the piston  152  and that such movement of the piston  152  affects the volume of the reservoir  170 . 
     The lock  156  can be any type of locking mechanism that can be employed to selectively lock the rod  154  at a given position relative to the cylinder  162 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the lock  156  can be employed to maintain the rod  154  at a given position relative to the body housing  160  to permit the reservoir  170  to be filled via the fill neck  174  or to permit the rod  154  to function as a telescoping handle. In the particular example provided, the lock  156  is a collet-type lock that includes a collet body  240  and a collet nut  242 . The collet body  240  includes a first portion  246  which is sized to be received over an end of the cylinder  162  opposite the body housing  160 , and a second portion  248  that includes a threaded segment  250  and a plurality of cantilevered fingers  252 . The first portion  246  can be secured to the rod  154  in any desired manner. For example, an external snap ring  258  can be received into a groove  260  formed about the first portion  246 ; inwardly extending ears  262  on the snap ring  258  can be received through first slots  268  that can be formed through the first portion  246 , as well as through or into second slots  270  formed through the cylinder  162 . As the inwardly extending ears  262  can extend into the interior diameter of the cylinder  162 , the piston  152  can contact the inwardly extending ears  262  to limit movement of the piston  152  in a direction away from the body housing  160  ( FIG. 7 ). The rod  154  is received through the collet body  240  and the collet nut  242  is threadably engaged to the second portion  248  of the collet body  240 . The collet nut  242  is configured to drive the cantilevered fingers  252  radially inwardly to grip against the outer diameter of the rod  154  to thereby lock the rod  154  relative to the cylinder  162 . A cap member  276  can be employed to close an end of the rod  154  opposite the piston  152 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the clamp  16  and the clamp structure  18  can cooperate to fixedly but removably couple the main body  12  and the dispenser  14  to one another. While the clamp  16  and the clamp structure  18  are described herein as being directly connected to the reservoir  170  and the main body  12 , respectively, it will be appreciated that the clamp  16  and the clamp structure  18  could be coupled to the main body  12  and the reservoir  170 , respectively. 
     With renewed reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the clamp  16  can be generally Z-shaped and can include a first portion  300 , a second portion  302 , a third portion  304  and a first engagement member  306 . The first portion  300  can be generally planar and can include a pair of laterally-deflectable bayonets  310 . The second portion  302  can include a pair of side members that can couple the first portion  300  to the third portion  304 . The third portion  304  can define an actuator  316  that can be employed to operate the clamp  16 . The clamp  16  can be pivotally coupled to the main body  12  in any desired manner, such as via the bayonets  310 . In the example provided, the first portion  300  is received through a securing aperture  321  in the end wall  178  of the body housing  160  and the bayonets  310  can be received through bayonet apertures  322  in the opposite lateral side walls  324  of the body housing  160 . The bayonets  310  are forwardly tapered and have an abutting rear wall  328 . Contact between the forwardly tapered outer side of the bayonets  310  and the side walls  324  of the body housing  160  permits the body housing  160  to urge the bayonets  310  inwardly. With additional reference to  FIG. 11 , the first engagement member  306  can be fixedly coupled (e.g., integrally formed with) the first portion  300  and can include a rearwardly and upwardly tapering ramp  340  and an abutting surface  342 . 
     Once aligned to the bayonet apertures  322 , the bayonets  310  can move outwardly such that the abutting rear walls  328  are engaged to the body housing  160 . In this condition, the first engagement member  306  can be disposed in the coupling aperture  320 . Once coupled to the body housing  160 , downward pressure can be applied to the actuator  316  to cause the first portion  300  to deflect in a manner that lowers the first engagement member  306  relative to the coupling aperture  320 . A stop member  350  can be coupled to a rear side  352  of the end wall  178 . Contact between the stop member  350  and the third portion  304  can limit downward movement of the first portion  300  to prevent plastic deformation or breakage of the first portion  300 . 
     In  FIGS. 6 and 11 , the clamp structure  18  can be coupled to the housing  20  and can include a second engagement member  360  that can be configured to releasably engage the first engagement member  306 . In the particular example provided, the second engagement member  360  defines a ramp aperture  362  through which the first engagement member  306  can be received. An aperture H may be formed into the clamp structure  18  to permit the main unit  12  to be hung on a hook (not shown). While not shown, an elastomeric material, such as a portion of the grip portion  56  that can be coupled to the handle  30 , can be disposed about and at least partially define the ramp aperture  362 . In operation, the handle  30  can be received into the body aperture  172  such that the clamp structure  18  is received through the coupling aperture  320 . The clamp structure  18  can contact the rearwardly and upwardly tapering ramp  340  on the first engagement member  306  as the handle  30  is being moved into the body aperture  172 , which can cause the clamp  16  to pivot or deflect downwardly as shown in  FIG. 13 . Alignment of the first engagement member  306  to the ramp aperture  362  permits the first portion  300  to return in an upward direction such that the first engagement member  306  is received in the ramp aperture  362  as shown in  FIG. 14 ; contact between the abutting surface  342  and the second engagement member  360  (more specifically, abutment of the second engagement member  360  to the abutting surface  342 ) prevents withdrawal of the handle  30  from the body aperture  172 . Moreover, the end wall  178  limits further rearward movement of the handle  30  relative to the dispenser  14 . 
     To remove or decouple the main unit  12  from the dispenser  14 , downward pressure can be applied to the actuator  316  to lower the first engagement member  306  out of the ramp aperture  362  so that the main body  12  may be withdrawn from the body aperture  172  as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Various types of accessories may be driven with or employed by the main unit  12 . In the example of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a roller-brush accessory  400  is employed. The roller brush accessory  400  can have a hollow-cylindrical body  402  that can be received over the gear case  90  and which can be drivingly engaged to the output member  96 . A ring  408  may be employed to close and/or seal an interface between the hollow-cylindrical body  150  and the main unit  12 . For example, the ring  408  can be disposed circumferentially about the housing  20  and can apply a clamping force to the flanges  120  that drives the first and second housing shells  50  and  52  into sealing engagement with the gasket. Additionally or alternatively, the ring  408  could comprise a seal member that can be received over the flanges  120  and sealingly engage the housing  20  and the hollow-cylindrical body  402  of the accessory  400  to resist the infiltration of water and debris between the gear case  90  and the accessory  400 . Alternatively, the seal or ring  408  could be carried by the roller brush accessory  400 . The roller brush accessory  400  can employ one or more sets of bristles  410  and the bristles  410  can be formed of any desired material, such as a suitable plastic (e.g., nylon) or metal (e.g., bronze). An optional shield  420  can be coupled to the housing  20  to shield the operator from dirt and debris dislodged by the roller brush accessory  400  during operation as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . For example, the shield  420  can include a yoke  422  that be configured to fit about a portion of the housing, such as the second extension portion  34 , to thereby resist rotation of the shield  420  relative to the housing  20 . The shield  420  can be fitted with one or more end caps  428  that shroud an associated lateral side of the roller brush accessory  400 . Alternatively, the end cap  428  closet to the main unit  12  can employ a circumferentially extending shield member  430 . 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although the accessory has been illustrated and described herein as being a roller brush, other types of accessories may be employed with the main unit  12 . For example, the roller could be formed of another suitable material, such as a sponge. As another example, an end-facing sponge attachment  400   a  or an end-facing brush attachment  400   b  can be employed as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , respectively. 
     While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.