Abstract:
A combined toilet brush and plunger, termed the Splunger, combines both functions in one tool. In order to do so, the Splunger can be converted, conveniently and without tools, from a substantially rigid configuration in which a mop head is effectively mounted on one end of a rigid handle, so as to be employed as a conventional toilet brush, to a flexible configuration in which the mop head is extended on a flexible but incompressible member, so that it can be forced into the constricted passages of a toilet, clearing it out.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This complete application claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/672,100, filed Apr. 18, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to an improved household tool combining in one device, termed herein the “Splunger,” the principal functions of toilet brush and plunger, thus realizing simplification and economy.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Typically one requires a toilet brush, essentially a brush or mop head on a rigid handle, to clean a toilet, while one needs a plunger, commonly a large rubber suction cup also on a rigid handle, to force clogs out of the constricted “trap” passageways of the toilet (especially the new limited-flow toilets, which are very susceptible to clogging) and into the soil plumbing. See Scott U.S. Pat. No. 2,473,452. Alternatively, a flexible but non-compressible shaft—such as a stiff spring—can be used as the shaft for a tool designed to be thrust through the trap and associated passages and thus clear any clogging. See Browning U.S. Pat. No. 1,154,369 and Palmer U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,982. In either case both a brush and a separate device for clearing clogging are normally required. It would desirable to provide a single tool providing both cleansing and trap-clearing functions, and such is the object of the invention. Other aspects and objects of the invention will appear as the discussion thereof proceeds.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a combined toilet brush and trap clearing device, termed the Splunger herein, which combines both functions in one tool. In order to do so, the Splunger can be converted, conveniently and without tools, from a substantially rigid configuration in which a mop head mounted on one end of a rigid handle can be employed as a conventional toilet brush, to a flexible configuration in which the mop head is extended on a flexible but incompressible member, so that it can be thrust into the constricted trap passages of a toilet, clearing clogs therefrom.  
         [0005]     The Splunger comprises a rigid tubular outer handle, closed at proximal and distal ends by cap members having central bores therethrough. A small mop head is mounted on a distal end of a flexible but incompressible tubular member (abbreviated hereinafter simply as the “FIT” member), extending through the bore in the distal cap on the outer handle; the FIT member can be made using a length of reinforced plastic tubing, such as used for water piping and the like. The fitting by which the mop head is attached to the FIT member has an internal thread on its proximal end, for receiving a corresponding thread on the distal end of a control rod extending coaxially within the FIT member. A second fitting, also with an internal thread for receiving the thread on the control rod, is secured to the proximal end of the FIT member; the control rod extends out through this fitting and through the bore in the proximal cap on the outer handle, and has a knob on its proximal end.  
         [0006]     The control rod is a few inches longer than the outer tubular member. Thus, when the coupling on the control rod is threaded into the fitting at the distal end of the FIT member and pushed fully into the outer handle, the mop head on the distal end of the FIT member protrudes slightly from the end of the tubular member; in this position, the mop head is substantially rigidly supported by the outer tubular member, so that the Splunger can be used as a toilet brush. When it is desired to use the Splunger as a clog-clearing tool, the coupling on the control rod is unthreaded from the fitting at the distal end of the FIT member, the control rod is pulled most of the way out of the tubular member and FIT member, and the coupling threaded into the fitting at the proximal end of the FIT member. The control rod can then be pushed into the tubular handle, forcing the length of the FIT member out of the bore in the cap at the distal end of the tubular member. When this has been accomplished, so that the mop head is carried only by the FIT member, which is flexible but incompressible, as described above, the mop head can be urged into the passages of the toilet. It has been found that a properly sized mop head functions as a sort of hydraulic ram or piston, and is very effective in clearing clogged toilets. After use, the coupling on the control rod can again be threaded into the fitting at the mop head, and the control rod drawn rearwardly, so as to take a storage position in which the mop head is surrounded by a cup member, for convenience in storage and ease of cleaning. In a preferred embodiment, the mop head fits relatively tightly into a first inner “wringer” cup member, forcing water from the mop head, which is perforated for drainage; the first cup member may be surrounded by a second, imperforate cup member, so as to control dripping of water. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accomplaynig drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an elevational view with the Splunger in its “storage” configuration;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a similar view, with the Splunger in the “toilet brush” configuration;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a similar view, with the Splunger in the “plunger” configuration;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway, cross-sectional view, with the Splunger in the storage configuration of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a toilet, showing the Splunger in use in its plunger configuration; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial view corresponding to  FIG. 4 , illustrating an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     As discussed above, the Splunger of the invention is a tool that can be used in a “toilet brush” configuration ( FIG. 2 ), in which the mop head is essentially rigidly connected to the handle, to enable effective scrubbing; a “trap cleaning device” configuration ( FIG. 3 ), in which the mop head can be forced through a curved “trap” passageway in a toilet (as illustrated by  FIG. 5 ), clearing it out, and a “storage” configuration ( FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 4  illustrates the inventive construction that makes this versatility possible. The Splunger  10  comprises a rigid tubular outer handle  12 , closed at proximal and distal ends  12   a  and  12   b , respectively, by cap members  14  and  16 , respectively, having central bores therethrough. A mop head  18  is mounted on a distal end of a flexible but incompressible tubular “FIT” member  20 , extending through the bore in the distal cap  16  on the outer handle  12 ; the FIT member  20  can be made using a length of reinforced plastic tubing, such as used for household water piping and the like. Alternatively, the FIT member can be made from a long spring, such as the type employed for closing screen doors; but as the metallic spring will tend to scar the porcelain of the toilet, the reinforced plastic tubing mentioned is generally preferred. The fitting  22  by which the mop head is attached to distal end of the FIT member  20  has an internal thread  22   a  on its proximal end, for receiving a corresponding thread  24  on the distal end of a control rod  26  extending coaxially within the FIT member  20 . A second fitting  28 , also with an internal thread  28   a  for receiving the thread  24  on the control rod  26 , is secured to the proximal end  20   a  of the FIT member  20 ; the control rod  26  extends out through this fitting  28  and through the bore in the proximal cap  14  on the outer tubular handle  12 , and has a knob  36  (or is otherwise adapted to be gripped by a user&#39;s hand) on its proximal end  30 .  
         [0015]     The control rod  26  is a few inches longer than the outer tubular handle  12 . Thus, when the thread  24  on the control rod  26  is threaded into the fitting  22  at the distal end of the FIT member  20 , and the control rod  26  is pushed fully into the outer handle  12 , the mop head  18 , also fixed to the fitting  22  on the distal end of the FIT member  20 , protrudes slightly from the end of the tubular handle member  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this configuration, the mop head  18  is substantially supported by the outer tubular member  12 . That is, although the mop head is mounted to the flexible FIT member  20 , the FIT member does not protrude from the fitting  22  enough to allow significant flexibility. Accordingly, in this position the Splunger can be used as a toilet brush, which requires a substantially rigid connection between the handle  12  and mop head for effective scrubbing.  
         [0016]     When it is desired to use the Splunger as a clog-clearing tool, the thread  24  on the control rod  26  is unthreaded from the fitting  22  at the distal end of the FIT member  20 ; the mop head fits within wringer cup member  34  (which is fixed to tubular handle  12 ) sufficiently snugly that the cup member  34  holds the mop head, allowing the control rod to be unthreaded from fitting  22 . (The snug fit also allows cup  34  to serve as a wringer, forcing water from the mop head when drawn into cup  34 .) Then the control rod  26  is pulled most of the way out of the tubular handle  12  and FIT member  20 , and thread  24  is threaded into the fitting  28  at the proximal end of the FIT member  20 . The control rod  26  can then be pushed back into the tubular handle  12 , forcing the length of the FIT member  20  out of the bore in the cap  16  at the distal end of the tubular member  12 , so as to take the position in  FIG. 3 . When this has been accomplished, so that the mop head  18  is carried only by the FIT member  20 , which is flexible, but not incompressible, as described above, the mop head  18  can be thrust into the trap and associated passages of the toilet to clear clogs therefrom, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . It has been found that a properly sized mop head  18  functions very effectively as a sort of hydraulic ram or piston, and is very effective in clearing clogged toilets. A useful technique for so clearing clogs is to place the cup member  34  firmly over the flush drain in the toilet, so that the FIT member cannot kink, with the control rod  26  pulled back with respect to the tubular member  12 , and then press axially on the control knob  36 , so that the control rod  26  forces the mop head  18  into the trap and associated passages, clearing any clogs. Of course, the mop head  18  can be thrust into and withdrawn from the toilet repeatedly as needed to unclog the water passages.  
         [0017]     Thus, it will be appreciated that an important constructional feature of the Splunger is that the control rod  26  can be selectively affixed to fittings  22  and  28  at either end of the FIT member  20 ; in the preferred embodiment, the control rod is selectively threadedly engaged with either fitting. With the control rod engaged with the proximal end of the FIT member  20 , the FIT member  20  can be fully extended by pushing the control rod  26  out of the tubular handle  12 . In this circumstance the FIT member  20  is flexible, allowing it to pass along the convoluted trap passages of a toilet; the mop head  18  serves as a sort of hydraulic piston, effectively clearing clogs. When the control rod  26  is withdrawn, so that the distal tip of the FIT  20  is captured by the fitting  16  at the distal end of the tubular handle  12 , the FIT  20  is within the tubular handle  12 . At this point the mop head is substantially supported by the fitting  16 , and the Splunger can be used as a toilet brush. The control rod can be threaded to the fitting at either end of the FIT member  20  for this use, although it is perhaps more convenient to have the control rod  26  threaded to the fitting at the distal end of the FIT member  20 , so that the control rod  26  does not protrude awkwardly.  
         [0018]     After use, the thread  24  on the control rod  26  can again be threaded into the fitting  22  at the distal end of the FIT member  20 , and the control rod  26  and FIT member  20  drawn rearwardly, so as to take a storage position (see  FIG. 1 ) in which the mop head  18  is pulled into and surrounded by a wringer cup member  34 , for convenience in storage and ease of cleaning. Again, the fit of the mop head  18  in inner cup member  34  is sufficiently firm that the mop head is gripped frictionally within the wringer cup member  34 , so that the control rod  26  can be effectively threaded thereinto; this good fit also causes water to be effectively squeezed from the mop head as it is drawn into the cup member, so that little dripping takes place thereafter, and providing an effective self-cleaning function. As illustrated, cup member  34  may be perforated, for better drying of mop head  18 .  
         [0019]     Other aspects of the construction of the Splunger that have not been discussed are as follows. (Of course, the invention is not limited to the specific constructional details shown.) The mop head includes a central fitting to which fitting  22 , threaded to accept coupling  24 , can readily be attached. An  0 -ring  32  can be interposed between an inward-extending ring on cap  16  (which can be modified from a conventional PVC plastic pipe coupling) and the distal end of tubular handle  12 , to provide a seal between tubular handle  12  and FIT member  20 .  
         [0020]     As mentioned, FIT member  20  can usefully be made from a length of reinforced plastic water tubing, as used in various home plumbing systems; this material is sufficiently flexible to be thrust readily through the convoluted trap and associated passages of a toilet, yet is sufficiently rigid that it does not tend to kink, so that force exerted on the proximal end of the control rod is efficiently transmitted to the mop head at the distal end of the FIT. Other materials providing these characteristics and no disqualifications can also be used; for example, a long steel spring such as used for screen doors, or a plumber&#39;s snake, would likely be functionally adequate but might tend to scar the inner surfaces of the toilet, and/or to rust. Unreinforced rubber tubing would presumably be too likely to kink, preventing efficient transfer of force to the mop head, but reinforced rubber hose, e.g, as used for fuel lines, might be adequate. Likewise, while the tubular handle  12  is preferably a length of PVC tubing, other plastics and other classes of materials might be acceptable if sufficiently rigid to serve as a handle. Accordingly, terms such as “flexible but incompressible” and “rigid” as used herein to describe these components are to be understood to convey these functional requirements, not to limit the invention. Similarly, the control rod could be made of tubular material if sufficiently rigid to transfer force so as to thrust the mop head into the toilet passages to free clogs therein.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative construction of the wringer cup assembly, which is presently preferred. In this embodiment, wringer cup member  34 ′ is essentially cylindrical, to efficiently wring water from mop head  18  as the mop head is drawn into the cup  34 ′. Wringer cup member  34 ′ is supported by an outer cup member  40  that is secured to tubular handle  12 . More specifically, a radially- and proximally-extending flange  34   a  mates with outer cup member  40  such that they can be glued together. Perforations  34   b  provide an escape path for water forced out of the mop head  18  as it is drawn into wringer cup  34 ′. An  0 -ring or resilient washer  42  is confined between the distal end  12   b  of tubular handle  12  and outer cup  40 , providing a seal between the FIT  20  and handle  12 . As illustrated, the distal end of wringer cup  34 ′ is flared slightly, to provide a good seal against the exit orifice of the toilet and ensure efficient removal of clogs.  
         [0022]     Having described the invention in detail, the following constructional features of the preferred embodiment—to which the invention is not to be limited, the scope of the invention being limited only by the appended claims—and the advantages provided thereby will be of interest:  
         [0023]     FEATURE: The “Splunger” is a small attractive unit adapted both to clean the bowl and unclog the water trap of modem flush toilets. ADVANTAGE: One can do the jobs of cleaning and unclogging with a single tool.  
         [0024]     FEATURE: The mop head is designed to clean the toilet bowl and is of a size that will conform to fit a clogged water trap as a hydraulic ram or piston, so as to push a clog over and out of the trap. ADVANTAGE: Novel approach to solve the problem of the clogged toilet.  
         [0025]     FEATURE: The mop head, being provided with inner and outer cup members, allows water to be wrung from the mop head, while all manual operations can be carried out from the opposite end of the handle. ADVANTAGE: Cleaning the mop head is simple, neat, and easy, while one&#39;s hands will not come in contact with contaminated water.  
         [0026]     FEATURE: The mop head wringer housing, that is, the inner cup receiving the mop head, is designed so as to divert water out through drain holes pointing away from the hand held position of the device. ADVANTAGE: Any water pulled into the wringer cup will not enter the hollow handle shaft of the Splunger.  
         [0027]     FEATURE: The mop head outer cap is designed to enter the bowl drain and stop at the proper position to ensure smooth entry of the mop head into the water trap. ADVANTAGE: Positioning the cup housing properly assures a smooth entrance of the mop head into a clogged water trap.  
         [0028]     FEATURE: Use of plastic tubing as the flexible but incompressible member allows one to push the mop head through the water trap but not mark the ceramic toilet bowl. ADVANTAGE: No permanent marks are left, as might occur if a metal coil spring or plumber&#39;s “snake” were used.  
         [0029]     FEATURE. Construction is of durable plastic and stainless steel. ADVANTAGE: Designed to outlast other toilet cleaning devices.  
         [0030]     FEATURE: Mop-head is easily replaceable. ADVANTAGE: If the mop-head wears out one need not replace a complete unit.  
         [0031]     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, the invention should not be limited thereby.