Patent Publication Number: US-2021186203-A1

Title: Grill cleaner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/950,242, filed on Dec. 19, 2019. The complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/950,242 is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a grill cleaner, particularly a grill cleaner incorporating springs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,426 purports to disclose a brush with flexible bristles in which each bristle includes a flexion integral with the bristle to provide innate resilience to the bristle for flexing along its longitudinal axis. The brush fitted with the bristles includes a perforated brushhead for passing the bristles so as to maintain the bristles on their axis. A trapezoidal bristle grid provides for bristle density in the brush comparable the standard brush density. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,683,641 purports to disclose a novel scraper assembly having a plurality of interchangeable scraper heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The scraper assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely spring bristles, coiled springs, chainmail abraders and wire cloth abraders capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. Additionally, the invention may also be useful for shaping, adding texture to, stripping materials from or otherwise preparing a surface, including wood, metal or ceramic surfaces. 
     United States Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0326599 purports to disclose a scraper for a barbeque grill comprises a handle. A substantially parallelepiped cleaning head is extended at a forward end of the handle. The cleaning head comprises a first metal plate and a second metal plate. A plurality of metal spikes is mounted to and extends from at least one surface of the cleaning head. The plurality of metal spikes move centrifugal swivel movement at an angle of 15 degrees for inserting into open spaces of the barbecue grill. The plurality of metal spikes provides side-to-side swinging motion to remove the charred debris from the top and side portions of the barbecue grill. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, some embodiments of the invention provide a grill cleaner, comprising a head having a plurality of coil springs, each coil spring having a proximate end embedded in the head and a distal application end projecting from the head, the distal application ends shaped for coordinated application to a surface. 
     In some embodiments, the grill cleaner further comprises a handle coupled to and extending from the head, the handle oriented for use in driving the head in a grill cleaning operation 
     In some embodiments, the head includes a main body member and a removable member, the removable member removably securable to the main body member, the plurality of coil springs embedded in the removable member. 
     In some embodiments, the removable member is a socket insert and the main body member has a socket cavity shaped to receive the socket insert and to hold the socket insert when the socket insert is secured to the main body member. 
     In some embodiments, each coil spring is an extension spring. 
     In some embodiments, the socket insert is removably coupled in the socket insert via a spring lock. 
     In some embodiments, the handle is an elongated handle. 
     In some embodiments, the handle has a handle axis and the head defines an operational plane, the handle axis forming an oblique angle with the operational plane. 
     In some embodiments, the springs are overmolded by the head. 
     In some embodiments, the head has a grill facing surface and the grill facing surface is convexly curved. 
     In some embodiments, each coil spring of the plurality of coil springs has an axis of extension, the plurality of axis of extension being mutually parallel. 
     In a first aspect, some embodiments of the invention provide a grill cleaner, comprising a cleaner head; a spring mount secured to the cleaner head by a press fit, the spring mount holding a plurality of coil springs, each spring of the plurality of coil springs having a proximate end secured to the spring mount and a distal application end projecting from the head, the distal applications ends shaped for coordinated application to a surface. 
     In some embodiments, the grill cleaner further comprises a handle coupled to and extending from the head, the handle oriented for use in driving the head in a grill cleaning operation. 
     In some embodiments, the spring mount includes a retaining plate having a head face and an opposite grill face and a plurality of apertures therethrough from the head face to the grill face, each spring of the plurality of springs passing through one of the plurality of apertures with the proximate end retained adjacent the head face and the distal end extending from the grill face. 
     In some embodiments, each spring of the plurality of springs has a proximate end diameter and a main body diameter, the proximate end diameter larger than the main body diameter. 
     In some embodiments, the spring mount includes a back plate secured to the retaining plate, the proximate ends of the plurality of springs held between the back plate and the retaining plate. 
     In some embodiments, the back plate includes a plurality of bosses, the plurality of bosses including one boss for each coil spring of the plurality of coil springs and each of the plurality of bosses positioned on the back plate to be inserted into a coil spring when the proximate ends of the plurality of springs are held between the back plate and the retaining plate. 
     In some embodiments, each coil spring of the plurality of coil springs has an axis of extension, the plurality of axis of extension being mutually parallel. 
     In some embodiments, the spring mount includes at least two press-fit legs each press fit into the head, the at least two press-fit legs supporting a retaining plate, each spring of the plurality of coil springs having a proximate end secured to the retaining plate. 
     In some embodiments, the legs are each oriented generally vertically and the retaining plate is oriented generally horizontally. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of systems, methods, and apparatus of the present specification. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of a grill cleaner, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an expanded bottom perspective view of a portion of the grill cleaner of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the grill cleaner of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the grill cleaner of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a spring mount, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevation view of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded top perspective view of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded top perspective view of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 , with the back plate removed; 
         FIG. 9  is an expanded top perspective view of a portion of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 , with the back plate removed; 
         FIG. 11  is a front end view of the spring mount of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded top perspective view of a spring mount, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the spring mount of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front end elevation view of the spring mount of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a right side elevation exploded view of the spring mount of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various apparatus or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary grill cleaner  100  includes a head  102  and a plurality of coil springs  106 . In the illustrated example, each coil spring  106  is an extension or tension spring. Each coil spring  106  has a proximate end  108  embedded in the head  102  and a distal application end  110  projecting from the head  102  and provided for application to a grill surface in a grill cleaning operation. Although in other embodiments, grill cleaner  100  may be used to clean other surfaces. 
     In the illustrated example each spring  106  is a metal spring embedded in a plastic head  102  by being overmolded by the head  102 . However, in other embodiments one or more of springs  106  and head  102  may be made of alternate materials, such as materials that are strong enough for a grill cleaning operation. For example, head  102  may be made of, or incorporate, metal. 
     Grill cleaner  100  includes a handle  114  secured to head  102 . In the illustrated example, handle  114  is an elongated handle coupled to and extending from the head  102 . For example, handle  114  may be welded to head  102  or secured by fasteners. The handle  114  is oriented for use in driving the head in a grill cleaning operation. Handle  114  is illustrated as a solid molded plastic handle, although in some embodiments handle  114  may be made of a bent metal shaft. For example, handle  114  may be formed of a brushed aluminum shaft having a proximate end press-fit into head  102  and a distal end having a plastic hand grip formed thereon. 
     In the illustrated example, grill cleaner  100  has a longitudinal axis  111 , a transverse axis  113 , and a vertical axis  115 . The longitudinal axis  111  and the transverse axis  113  define an operational plane of the head  102 . In the illustrated example, handle  114  has a handle axis of extension  116  rising vertically from the operational plane and forming an oblique angle with the operational plane. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the head  102  of exemplary grill cleaner  100  includes a main body member  118  and a removable member  120 . The removable member  120  is removably securable to the main body member  118 , and the plurality of coil springs  106  are embedded in the removable member  120 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the removable member  120  is a socket insert and the main body member  118  has a socket cavity  122  shaped to receive the socket insert  120 . The main body member  118  is shaped to hold the socket insert  120  when the socket insert  120  is secured to the main body member  118 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in the illustrated example the main body  118  and the socket insert  120  include a spring lock structure  128 . Spring lock structure  128  includes a pair of rigid forward projections (not shown) on socket insert  120 , each corresponding to a forward recess (not shown) in the wall of socket cavity  122 . Spring lock structure  128  also includes a moveable rear clip  130  on socket insert  120 , the moveable rear clip  130  corresponding to a rear recess (not shown) in the wall of socket cavity  122 . Rear clip  130  is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the rear clip is freed from the rear recess so that the socket insert  120  may be removed from socket cavity  122 . In the extended position, the rear clip  130  is received in the rear recess to cooperate with the forward projections received in the forward recesses to hold the socket insert  120  in the socket cavity  122 . The rear clip  130  is biased by a spring toward the extended position and may be moved to a retracted position to allow the socket insert  120  to be removed from the socket cavity  122 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in the illustrated example, the plurality of springs  106  are arranged in a rectangular array of eight rows and six columns. However, in other embodiments the plurality of springs may be arranged in alternate arrays, including arrays in which the springs are not arranged in rows and/or columns. 
     Distal ends  110  are shaped for coordinated application to a surface. In the illustrated example, each spring has generally the same length extending from the grill facing surface and is overmolded by the socket insert  120 . The grill facing surface  132  of socket insert  120  of head  102  is a convexly curved surface bowed downward along the longitudinal axis. The distal application ends  110  of springs  106  correspondingly lie in a convexly curved plane (see for example  FIG. 4 ). However, in other embodiments the grill facing surface  132  may have an alternative surface, such as being concave, flat, or undulating. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments the springs may have unequal lengths extending from the grill face, such as if the springs  106  are of unequal total lengths and/or the springs  106  are of equal total lengths but have unequally sized portions embedded in head  102 . In some embodiments, having springs of unequal lengths extending from the head  102  may allow for coordinated application to a surface, such as if the surface is ridged or otherwise non-planar. 
     In the illustrated example, each coil spring of the plurality of coil springs has an axis of extension  138 , and the plurality of axis of extension are mutually parallel. However, in other embodiments, the axis of extension  138  may not be mutually parallel. For example, coordinated application of distal ends  110  to a non-planar surface may be made easier if the axis of extension  138  are not mutually parallel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another example of a grill cleaner  200  is illustrated. The grill cleaner  200  is similar in many respects to grill cleaner  100 , and like features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 100. 
     Grill cleaner  200  includes a cleaner head (not shown) and a spring mount  240 . Spring mount  240  is secured to the cleaner head by a press fit. In the illustrated example, spring mount  240  includes a two press-fit legs  242 ,  244 , each leg  242 ,  244  provided to be press fit into the head. However, in other embodiments other press-fit members may be used. 
     As illustrated, the two press-fit legs  242 ,  244  support a retaining plate  246  for retaining proximate ends of the plurality of springs. However, in other embodiments the springs may be secured to the spring mount in other ways, such as by being embedded in a metal or plastic spring mount body. 
     In the illustrated example, grill cleaner  200  has a longitudinal axis  211 , a transverse axis  213 , and a vertical axis  215 . The longitudinal axis  211  and the transverse axis  213  define an operational plane of the head. In the illustrated example, each leg  242 ,  244  is oriented generally vertically, relative the operational plane, and is generally planar in shape. The retaining plate  246  is oriented generally horizontally and is also generally planar in shape. While illustrated oriented generally vertically or horizontally, in other embodiments one or more of press-fit members or retaining members may be otherwise angled, including being curved. 
     In the illustrated example the retaining plate  246  and the press-fit legs  242 ,  244  are integrally formed of a single plate. Although, in other embodiments, they may be joined together, such as by welding if the components are made of or incorporate metal or plastic. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , spring mount  240  holds a plurality of coil springs  206 . Coil springs  206  may be metal. Each spring  206  includes a proximate end  208  secured to the spring mount  240  and a distal application end  210  projecting from the head and provided for application to a grill surface in a grill cleaning operation. 
     In the illustrated example, the grill cleaner  210  includes a handle (not shown) coupled to and extending from the head. The handle is oriented for use in driving the head in a grill cleaning operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , in the illustrated example, the retaining plate  246  has a grill face  232  and a opposite head face  234  and a plurality of apertures  250  therethrough from the head face  234  to the grill face  232 . Each spring  106  is passed through one aperture  250  with the proximate end  208  retained by retaining plate  246  adjacent the head face  234  and the distal end  210  extending from the grill face  232 . In the illustrated example, each spring  206  is retained because the proximate end  208  has a proximate end diameter  254  which is greater than the main body diameter  256 . However, in other embodiments each spring  206  may be otherwise retained, such as by a clip or other fastener. 
     In the illustrated example, the spring mount  240  includes a back plate  260  secured to the retaining plate  246 . When spring mount  240  is assembled, the proximate ends  208  of the springs  206  are held between the back plate and the retaining plate  246 . 
     Each aperture  250  includes notches  248 . Notches  248  serve to extend an aperture diameter  252  to an extended aperture diameter  253 . In the illustrated example, the main body diameter  256  of the main body portion  258  and distal application end  210  of each spring  206  is larger in size than the aperture diameter  252  but smaller than the extended aperture diameter  253 . Notches  248  are provided to receive a wire of a coil of spring  206  so that spring  206  can fit through aperture  250 . Noteches  248  allow aperture  250  to more firmly hold spring  206  as spring  206  is captured by aperture  250 . However, the proximate end diameter  254  is larger than the extended aperture diameter  253 , preventing the proximate end  208  from passing through the aperture  250 . 
     In other embodiments, however, notches  248  may not be provided. For example, in some embodiments spring main body diameter  256  may be smaller than aperture diameter  252  so that spring  206  may be passed through aperture  250 . In some embodiments spring  206  may 
     Back plate  260  is held adjacent retaining plate  246 . In the illustrated example, back plate  260  is held adjacent retaining plate  256  by fasteners  262 . In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners  262  are clips anchored to retaining plate  246  and releasably securable to back plate  260 . However, in other embodiments the back plate  260  may be held by other fasteners, such as threaded fasteners, adhesives, or magnets, and fasteners  262  may be releasably secured, directly or indirectly, to either or both of the back plate  260  and the retaining plate  246 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , springs  206  are positioned in nine rows extending longitudinally and seven rows extending transversely. Alternate rows are staggered. Springs  206  are arranged with a small clearance between adjacent longitudinal rows and a larger clearance between adjacent transverse rows. In the illustrated example, each coil spring  206  has an axis of extension  238 , and the plurality of axis of extension  238  are mutually parallel. However, other arrangements of springs may be used in other embodiments for coordinated application of distal ends  210  to a surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , another example of a spring mount  340  is illustrated. The spring mount  340  is similar in many respects to spring mount  240 , and like features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 100. 
     Spring mount  340  includes a retaining plate  346  and a back plate  360 . Back plate  360  includes a plurality of bosses  364 . The plurality of bosses  364  includes one boss for each coil spring  306 . Each boss  364  is positioned on the back plate  360  to be inserted into a coil spring  306  when the proximate end  308  of the coil spring  306  is held between the back plate  360  and the retaining plate  346 . The plurality of bosses  364  each extend from a grill facing surface  366  of back plate  360 , and the plurality of bosses and the plurality of apertures  350  have a common pattern so that the bosses align with coil springs  306  received in apertures  350 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, bosses  364  are cylindrical in shape. A proximate end  368  of each boss  364  is secured to back plate  360  while a distal end  370  extends from back plate  360  to be inserted into a spring  306  within the coil of the spring  306 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , teeth  372  are formed on distal end  370 . Teeth  372  allow back plate  360  to be held to retaining plate  346  as teeth  372  engage grill face  332  from within spring  306 . In some embodiments, teeth  372  also assist in securely holding springs  306  in position and aligned vertically. In some embodiments, teeth  372  may act through spring  306  and indirectly engage grill face  332  by pushing one or more coils of spring  306  outward, while in other embodiments teeth  372  may project between coils of spring  306  or otherwise act past spring  306 . 
     In the illustrated example, each boss  364  has two teeth  372  formed on distal end  370 . However, in other embodiments a boss may have other teeth arrangements, such as a single tooth or a flange around the entire distal end  370 . 
     In some embodiments, bosses  364  are solid plastic cylinders. In other embodiments, bosses  364  may be hollow, such as to ease manufacturing or use of the spring mount or to save material. In some embodiments, bosses  364  and/or back plate  360  may be made of metal rather than the plastic of the illustrated embodiment. For example, if retaining plate  346  is made of stainless steel, in some embodiments back plate  360  may also be made of stainless steel for aesthetic or durability reasons. 
     The present invention has been described here by way of example only. Various modification and variations may be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.