Patent Abstract:
A lint/pet hair roller assembly includes a body supporting a tubular adhesive lint remover roll. The assembly includes a handle and a roll support. The roller support includes a cross-member transversely mounted on the handle and carrying a pair of outwardly extending legs. Roll support members are fixed or rotatably carried on the legs for supporting a lint roll. The legs, in one aspect, are moveably mounted in the cross-member and biased to a normal first spacing to support a lint roll, but extendable outward for movement of the lint roll relative to the legs. In another aspect, a telescoping lint roll support is normally biased to an extended position to support the lint roll, but is collapsible for movement of the support relative to the legs. Alternately, a dispenser is carried on the handle for dispensing fluid from a storage chamber. Alternately, an additional cleaning element is carried on the support.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/329,717, filed on Dec. 26, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety, which claims the benefit of the priority filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/426,589, filed Nov. 15, 2002, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/302,038, filed Nov. 22, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/143,396 filed May 10, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a lint roller assembly.  
           [0003]    There are many previously known lint roller assemblies. These previously known lint roller assemblies typically comprise a handle secured to a cylindrical lint roller support. A tubular cylindrical adhesive lint roller is then removably mounted to the support such that the adhesive roller is rotatively relative to the handle. In use, the adhesive lint roller is rolled along a surface to remove unsightly particles, lint, pet hair, etc.  
           [0004]    The previously known lint roller assemblies have used a number of different options to rotatively secure the lint roller support to the handle. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,923, the lint roller support and handle are separately constructed and then rotatively secured together. One disadvantage of this type of previously known lint roller assembly, however, is that the rotatively connection between the handle and lint roller support is subject to mechanical failure.  
           [0005]    A further disadvantage to this type of assembly is that both the lint roller support and the handle are separately molded from plastic and then assembled together requiring two separate molds, one for each part.  
           [0006]    Still other types of lint roller assemblies, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,695, the lint roller handle includes a pair of elongated housing parts, which are substantially identical to each other. A disadvantage to this type of assembly is that each housing part must be snapped exactly into the other perfectly registering using pins and sockets. A further disadvantage is that the handle section being integral to the support section is manufactured with rigid plastic material and uncomfortable to grip and does not provide for a customized plastic decorative top or hanger.  
           [0007]    Still other types of previously known lint roller assemblies, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,5577,0111, utilize a unitary lint roller handle and lint roller support. These previously known lint roller assemblies, however, require a complex and, therefore, expensive mold design in order to mold the lint roller handle and support. Furthermore, a relatively large frictional engagement between the lint roller and the lint roller support often times interferes with the desired free rotation of the lint roller about the lint roller support. Further, it does not provide for mounting a directional lint brush fabric under the rotatable tape roll.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    The present invention is a lint roller assembly which overcomes all of the deficiencies of the previously known lint roller art.  
           [0009]    In one aspect, the lint roller apparatus or assembly of the present invention includes a handle and a lint roll support. The support is in the form of a cross-member extending transversely from the handle. First and second lint roll support members including legs extend from the cross-member and are adapted for receiving and supporting a lint roll therebetween. The lint roll supports or bearing surfaces are fixedly or moveably mounted to the legs.  
           [0010]    In one aspect, lint roll supports or bearing surfaces are fixedly or moveably mounted to the legs.  
           [0011]    In one aspect, the legs are moveably disposed relative to the cross-member and are coupled by a biasing member which normally biases the legs to a first dimension spacing for supporting a lint roll therebetween. At least one of the legs at a time may be expanded laterally outward from the opposite leg to allow insertion or removal of a lint roll between the legs.  
           [0012]    In another aspect, a tubular lint roll support is formed of first and second telescopingly expandable and retractable end portions. A biasing member is carried within the first and second end portions and normally biases the first and second end portions outward to a first dimensional length. The first and second ends may be retracted or compressed toward each other to allow insertion or removal of a lint roll between the legs.  
           [0013]    The apparatus of the present invention provides added functionality in lint and other debris removal operations by providing multiple cleaning surfaces or elements in a single tool. Each cleaning element is usable separately so as to enable most types of dirt, lint, debris, etc., to be effectively removed from various surfaces, fabric, clothes, furniture, animals, etc.  
           [0014]    In another aspect, a liquid storage chamber is formed in the body. A dispenser means is disposed in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber for dispensing liquid from the body to assist in cleaning operations. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0015]    The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the present apparatus;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another aspect of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of a portion of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged, exploded view of the cap mountable on the end of the handle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 ;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial, exploded view showing an alternate extension handle mountable in the handle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 ;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a partial, exploded view showing the mounting of a depressable dispenser cap on the handle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 ;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another aspect of the cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 9; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of the cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    In the various lint rollers described hereafter, a tape roll  30 , is any commercially available tape roll having outwardly facing adhesive sheets or strips, generally arranged in a plurality of sheets wound in a roll wherein the outermost sheets are peelable from the roll, one at a time, along perforated edges of each sheet. When the roll  30  is mounted on a support, the roll  30  may freely rotate under applied force to remove lint, pet hair, and other debris from surfaces, such as clothes, furniture, or other fabrics.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is depicted yet one aspect of the present lint roller/brush apparatus denoted generally by reference number  400 . The apparatus  400  includes a body which may be integrally formed, such as from a blow molded plastic, or assembled of individual components fixedly joined together into unitary structure by heat or sonic welding, fasteners, etc.  
         [0029]    The apparatus  400  includes an elongated handle  402  which has an ergonomic shape for easy hand gripping. Alternately, the handle  402  may be formed with a hollow interior chamber suitable for receiving a cleaning liquid. A dispenser, such as a push top or trigger type may be mounted on the end of the handle  402  to dispense cleaning liquid from the handle  402 .  
         [0030]    A further optional adaptation is the provision of snap or screw together, threaded connections on the end of the handle  402  for connection to an elongated handle or handle extension, not shown, to enable the apparatus  400  to be conveniently used to clean floors, walls, ceilings, or other hard to reach surfaces.  
         [0031]    The handle  402  transitions into a cross-member formed of two cross arms  404  and  406  which extend laterally in opposite directions from the end of the handle  402 . The arms  404  and  406  terminate in angularly disposed legs  408  and  410 , respectively. A pair of generally circular supports  412  and  414  extend axially inward from the legs  408  and  410 , respectively, and rotatably fit within the inner diameter of the lint roll  30  which can be snapped over the supports  412  and  414  for insertion or removal from the apparatus  400 .  
         [0032]    In this aspect, an additional cleaning element in the form of a squeegee  420  is fixedly mounted in the arms  404  and  408  and projects angularly therefrom as shown in FIG. 26. The squeegee  420  has a blade-like shape formed of a resilient, flexible material terminating in one or more pointed edges  322  which, when dragged across the surface, is and are capable of pulling embedded hairs from fabric.  
         [0033]    One aspect of a cleaning apparatus  440  according to the present invention is shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 . In this aspect, the cleaning apparatus  440  includes a body which may be integrally formed, such as from a blow-molded plastic or assembled of individual components fixedly jointed together into a unitary structure by heat or sonic welding, fasteners, adhesive, etc. The body is preferably formed of one monolithic piece utilizing materials, such as polyethylene, PET, polyvinyl chloride or similar thermoplastic materials.  
         [0034]    The apparatus  440  includes an elongated handle  442  which has an ergonomic shape for easy hand gripping. Resilient inserts  444  may be mounted on the exterior of the handle  442  for a comfortable and secure hand grip.  
         [0035]    An end cap  446  is applied to one end  448  of the handle  442 . Although a conical shaped end cap  446  is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, it will be understood that the end cap  446  may take any other shape, including a cylindrical shape or an aesthetic, decorative shape.  
         [0036]    The end cap  446  has an externally threaded shank  450  extending from an enlarged end portion  452 . The external threads  454  on the shank  450  threadingly engage internal threads  456  in a bore  458  extending inward from the second end  448  of handle  442 . The threads  454  and  456  enable the cap  446  to be removably attachable to the handle  442 , for reasons which will become apparent hereafter.  
         [0037]    Although the cap  446  has been described as being removably attachable to the handle  442 , it will be understood that the cap  446  may be non-removably attached by means of a press-fit, adhesive or integral molding with the handle  442 .  
         [0038]    As also shown in FIG. 6, the handle  446  is provided with an aperture  460  which can have a closed periphery or a discontinuous periphery to provide a hanger feature for the end cap  446  and the remainder of the attached cleaning apparatus  440 .  
         [0039]    Referring briefly to FIG. 7, there is depicted an extension handle  470  having an externally threaded end  472  which is removably engagable with the threads  456  in the bore  458  on the second end  448  of the handle  442  after the end cap  446  has been removed from the handle  442 . The extension handle  470  enables the cleaning apparatus  440  to function as a cleaning device to remove debris from a floor or other surface beyond the normal arm reach of the user.  
         [0040]    It will be understood that the extension rod  470  can also be attached to the handle  442  by press-fit, interlocking projections and grooves, or by other releaseable attachment means.  
         [0041]    Referring briefly to FIG. 8, there is depicted another aspect of the cleaning apparatus  440  which provides a cleaning liquid dispersion function for the cleaning apparatus  440 . In this aspect of the invention, a modified handle  442 ′ has a reduced diameter portion adjacent the second end  448 . The periphery of the reduced diameter portion of the handle  442 ′ is externally threaded as shown by threads  474 . A hollow bore  476  extends through the handle  442  to an internal chamber within the handle  442  which is capable of storing cleaning liquid.  
         [0042]    A conventional fluid dispenser in the form of an interiorly threaded cap  480  having a displaceable button  482  biased away from the end of the cap  480  by an internally mounted biasing means or coil spring  484  is provided for attachment to the handle  442 ′. A hollow stem  486  extends through and out of the cap  480  and supports a fluid conduit  488  which extends into the chamber in the handle  442 ′. The other end of the fluid conduit  488  is fluidically coupled to a fluid outlet or nozzle  490  mounted in the depressable button  482 . Depression of the button  482  will cause fluid to be drawn through the conduit  488  and dispensed through the outlet or nozzle  490 .  
         [0043]    Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle  442  transitions into a lint roll support, including a cross-member  492 . The cross-member  492 , although generally formed of one piece, has two arms  494  and  496  which project laterally and oppositely outward from one end of the handle  442 . A pair of roll support assemblies  500  and  502  are mounted on the arms  494  and  496 , preferably with at least one and preferably both of the support arm assemblies  500  and  502  being moveably mounted in the arm portions  494  and  496  of the cross-member  492 .  
         [0044]    Since the support assemblies  500  and  502  are substantially identically constructed, the following description of the support assembly  500  will be understood to apply equally to the construction and operation of the support assembly  502 .  
         [0045]    As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support assembly  500  includes a leg  504  which depends from a tubular slider or channel member  506 . The leg  504  and the channel member  506  may be integrally constructed as a one piece plastic member or formed of two members fixedly joined together by fasteners, adhesive, sonic or heat welding, etc. The channel member  506  is moveably disposed within the hollow interior of the arm  494  of the cross-member  492 , as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0046]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support assembly  502  includes a similarly constructed leg  508  which is fixedly joined to a slider or channel member  510 . The channel member  510  is moveably disposed within the arm  496  of the cross-member  492 .  
         [0047]    A pin  512  projects from one end of the channel members  506  and  510 . A biasing means, such as a coil spring  514 , is connected between the pins  512  on the channel members  506  and  508  and functions to bias the support assemblies  500  and  502  inward toward each other. In this position, which is shown in solid in FIGS. 3 and 4, the legs  504  and  508  are disposed immediately adjacent the ends of the arm portions  494  and  496  of the cross-member  492 . Open ended slots may be formed in the ends of the arms  494  and  496  to enable the legs  504  and  508  to fit within the ends of the arms  494  and  496  as shown in solid in FIGS. 3 and 4.  
         [0048]    The biasing force exerted by the spring  514  holding the support assemblies  500  and  502  together at a first spacing sized to support a lint roll  516  between the legs  504  and  508  can be overcome by lateral outward force exerted on at least one of the legs  504  and  508  in a direction pulling the one or both legs  504  and  508  outward from the end of the associated arm  494  and  496  to a position shown in phantom in FIG. 4. Although it is only necessary to pull one of the support assemblies  500  and  502  laterally outward to a second spacing with respect to the opposed support assembly  500  and  502  to enable removal and/or mounting of a lint roll  516  to the support assemblies  500  and  502 , as described hereafter, both of the support assemblies  500  and  502  can be laterally urged outward to the expanded position shown in phantom in FIG. 4.  
         [0049]    Release of the laterally outward directed force on the support assemblies  500  and/or  502  will enable the biasing spring  524  to pull the one or both support assemblies  500  and  502  back toward the close together, inward position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 , bearing surfaces in the form of generally circular members  524  and  526  are fixed or rotatably mounted on one end of the legs  504  and  508 , respectively. Each member  524  and  526  has a first outer diameter circular rim  528  which extends from one surface of a larger diameter end wall  530 . The end wall  530  abuts the end of the lint roll  516  as shown in FIG. 4, with the end portions of the lint roll  516  resting on the outer diameter of the circular runs  528 . An annular disk  532  is centrally carried on each end wall  530  within the circular wall  528 . An aperture is formed in the disk  532  and receives resilient latch members  534  which are spaced apart on one end of a stem  536  integrally joined to and extending from one end of the leg  504  or the leg  508 . The ends of the latch members  534  extend outward from the stem  536  to form an end projection which snaps over the inner wall of the annular disk  532  to latch the circular supports  524  and  526  to the legs  504  and  506 , respectively.  
         [0051]    The above-described connection defines a rotatable connection allowing the circular members  524  and  526  to rotate along with the lint roll  516  mounted thereon as the lint roll  516  is forcibly urged across a surface to be cleaned.  
         [0052]    Finally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, cleaning apparatus  40  includes an additional cleaning element  540  which is mounted in the cross-member  492  and projects outward therefrom. The additional cleaning element  540  can be one of a number of different cleaning elements used to provide an added cleaning capability to the cleaning apparatus  440 . Thus, although the cleaning element  540  is depicted as being in the form of a resilient squeegee having one or more blades formed of a resilient, flexible material, each terminating in a pointed edge which, when dragged across a surface, is capable of pulling embedded hairs from fabric the cleaning element  540  can take other forms, such as a premoistened wipe strip(s), rotatable crumb pickers, etc. The cleaning element  540  is removably mountable in the cross-member  492  such as by a slide-in fit as shown in FIG. 3. Other types of releasable connections, including fasteners, or more permanent connections, such as through the use of adhesive or mechanical fasteners, may also be employed to mount the cleaning element  540  in the cross-member  492 . The cleaning element can also be fixed in the cross-member  492 .  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is depicted another aspect of a cleaning apparatus  550  which is substantially similar to the cleaning apparatus  440  except for the mounting of the circular lint roll supports  552  and  554  to the ends of the legs  556  and  558 , respectively, of a cross-member  560  mounted transversely at one end of a handle  562 . An additional cleaning element, such a squeegee  564 , by example only, can also be mounted in the cross-member  560 .  
         [0054]    In this aspect, each leg  556  and  558  terminates in a generally circular base  561 . A slot  563  is formed in each base  561  and can be closed by a snap-in cover  565 . The slots  563  provide access to at least one and preferably a pair of fasteners, such as screws  566  which fixedly engage the circular bases  561  to fix the bases  561  to the legs  556  and  558 .  
         [0055]    The fasteners  566  extend into inward extending projections  568  which project inwardly from an inner wall of each circular support  552  and  554 . An outer peripheral surface  570  of each circular support  552  and  554  acts as a bearing surface for a lint roller  572  which can be rotatably mounted thereover.  
         [0056]    Finally, another aspect of a cleaning apparatus  600  according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 11. The cleaning apparatus  600  shares many of the same features as the cleaning apparatus  440  and  550  in that it includes a handle  602  which has an end cap  604  mounted at one end and a laterally extending cross-member  606  at an opposite end. A cleaning element  608 , such as a squeegee, may optionally be mounted in the cross-member  606 .  
         [0057]    A pair of legs  610  and  612  extend from opposite ends of the cross-member  606  and terminate in enlarged bases  614  and  616 . A recess  618  extends axially inwardly partially through each circular base  614  and  616 . An inner circumferential surface of each recess  618  acts as a bearing surface for an outwardly extending projection  620  of a cylindrical shaped member  621  telescopingly disposed over a second cylindrical member  624 . A similar bearing surface  620  is formed on the outer end of the second member  624 . The members  621  and  624  form a lint roll support tube  622  on which a lint roll  630  is placed.  
         [0058]    An internally disposed biasing means, such as a coil spring  626 , is disposed between the ends of the members  621  and  624  and biases the ends of the members  621  and  624  outward, but enables the overall length of the support tube  622  to be shortened to allow the tube  622  to be inserted between the bases  614  and  616  of the cleaning apparatus  600  to remove or install a lint roll  630  between the leg  610  and  612  of the cleaning apparatus  600 .  
         [0059]    In summary, there has been disclosed numerous aspects of a combination lint roll/brush apparatus which is useful in efficiently removing dirt, debris, embedded hair, from fabrics and other surfaces. The apparatus combines several cleaning elements into a single apparatus thereby affording many different cleaning uses with a single apparatus. This enables different types of debris to be successfully removed from fabrics, furniture, clothing, and other surfaces by choosing one or more of the different cleaning elements in a single cleaning operation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1