Abstract:
Scrubber attachments for a standard sink sprayer having a housing fitting over the sprayer. A rotary or stationary sponge or brush is exteriorly attached to the housing for scrubbing surfaces and items. A soap dispenser is incorporated in the housing for dispensing soap during scrubbing.

Description:
This is a non-provisional application relying on the filing date of provisional application, Ser. No. 60/046,572 filed May 15, 1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates in general to sink sprayers and more particularly, to sink sprayers having a scrubber and soap dispenser. 
     2. Summary of the Prior Art 
     In the past sink sprayers have become standard accessories for sinks in the kitchen. Such devices provide convenient and effective means for rinsing items and surfaces. Prior sink sprayers have not effectively combined the basic function of rinsing with the capability of being a cleaning device offering the combined effectiveness of a scrubber and a soap dispenser. Known design of articles providing scrubbing and soap dispensing capabilities are also not economically adaptable to existing sprayer heads for transformation to a multi-function capability. Accordingly, it is desirable in the prior art to provide an improved scrubber attachment capable of convenient mounting on a sprayer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an objective of the invention to provide an attachment for a standard sink sprayer which can be snapped on the sprayer to co-act therewith as a scrubber for various items and surfaces; it can be adapted to dispense soap, has a number of different scrubbing features, and can be provided with a stand which allows the scrubber to be in an upright position at the sink ready for easy use. In one embodiment of the invention, the scrubber element is rotatable and is used with a soap dispenser. A second embodiment employs a non-rotary scrubber element and soap dispenser. A third embodiment includes a unique stand for supporting the scrubber attachment herein disclosed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, including its design, features and functions are illustrated in the following drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a rotary version of the scrubber and/or scrubbing sponge attachment shown attached to a standard sink sprayer; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a non-rotary version of the present invention in which the attachment is provided with soap dispensing means and the scrubber is resting in a stand; 
     FIG. 3 is a see-through side view of a non-rotary type/soap dispensing scrubber with stand; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a non-rotary/non-dispensing scrubber with scraping attachment and stand; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a non-rotary/non-dispensing scrubber attachment with vegetable brush attachment and stand; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a non-rotary/non-dispensing scrubber with bristle brush attachment shown in use scrubbing a plate; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a non-rotary/non-dispensing scrubber with vegetable brush attachment; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of a non-rotary/non-dispensing scrubber with stand; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view, with parts exploded, of the scrubber and/or scrubbing sponge attachment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view with parts in section of the non-rotary version with soap dispenser of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 11 is a partial side elevational view of FIG. 10. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Rotary Type Scrubber Attachment with Soap Dispenser and Scrubber Stand--FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 
     The plastic rotary style scrubber attachment 20 allows a person to clean an item or surface with the use of a rotary action non-abrasive sponge 21 in the form of a disk. The rotary style scrubber attachment 20 is attached over a standard sink sprayer assembly 22 with hose and spray actuator 22a extending outward through an opening in the attachment. The attachment 20 is secured over sink sprayer assembly 22 by ring 22b. The scrubber attachment 20 includes a hollow plastic body 20a forming a chamber 20b over the sink sprayer assembly 22 and a lower outlet portion, such that a generally L-shaped configuration to provide an upper handle and a lower water discharge portion adjacent the non-abrasive sponge 21. The rotary action of the scrubber sponge 21 is powered by the water coming through the standard sink sprayer 22 and into the chamber scrubber 20b of attachment 20. This routing of the water creates an effect within the chamber 20 of the attachment and forces the scrubber plate 23 within chamber 20b to rotate in a manner as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The scrubber plate 23 is the form of a turbine plastic plate having a series of spaced angular vanes 23a and a central vertical hole 23b. The vanes 23a are secured between an outer ring 23c and a tube section 23d forming hole 23b. A water control plate 24 having central hole 24a and a turbine plate inlet slot 24b both formed in plate surface 24c is mounted in chamber 20b in fixed relationship above the rotary turbine plate 23. The sponge 21 having central hole 2 la is affixed to turbine plate 23. The water through sprayer 22 is directed through the central aligned holes, but also through slot 24b to cause rotation of the vanes 23a. When the water is rerouted through the scrubber attachment it sprays out in a different configuration, and at a different pressure than the standard sink sprayer. 
     The body of the scrubber is contoured to fit easily into a person&#39;s hand. The soap dispensing chamber 25 of the scrubber chamber 20a holds liquid soap, and the output of the soap is controlled by a button 25a that the consumer actuates. The button 25a may be connected to rod 25b and valve 25c to open an orifice 25d on the bottom wall. The scrubber attachment also has a stand 26 such as shown in FIG. 2 which sits at the base of the sink, where the standard sink sprayer hose comes out. This allows the scrubber to be in an upright position at the sink ready for use. 
     This embodiment can be equipped with a bristle brush of the type identified as 27 in FIG. 3 or a vegetable brush feature adapted particularly for cleaning potatoes and mushrooms identified as 29 in FIG. 7. 
     Non-Rotary Type Scrubber Attachment with Soap Dispenser and Scrubber Stand--FIGS. 2, 3 and 11 
     The plastic non-rotary style scrubber attachment 31 allows a person to clean an item or surface with the use of a scrubber attachment containing a stationary bristle brush 27 having a central flow opening 27a (FIG. 11). The scrubber body 31a attaches to the body of a standard sink sprayer 22 in surrounding relationship and is contoured to fit easily into a person&#39;s hand. The water running through the standard sink sprayer 22 is not interrupted by the scrubber attachment by flow through flow opening 27a, and spray actuator 22a of sprayer 22 is accessible through opening 30 of scrubber body 31a in a similar manner as in FIG. 1. It should be apparent that actuator 22a may be in a position to extend outward as in FIG. 1. There is a chamber 25 separated by suitable walls designed into the scrubber attachment that dispenses liquid soap as best seen in FIG. 11. The dispensing of the liquid soap is controlled by the button 25a that the user actuates. As seen in FIG. 11, the button 25a is depressible to move rod 25b and valve 25c and uncover orifice 25d. The soap in soap compartment 25 then is able by gravity to flow into brush 27. The scrubber attachment 31 also has a stand 26 which sits at the base of the sink, where the standard sink sprayer hose comes out. This allows the scrubber to be in an upright position at the sink ready for the consumer to easily grasp and use. The scrubbing attachment can be provided with a non-abrasive sponge and/or standard sponge 21. 
     Non-Rotary Type Scrubber Attachment with Stand Only--FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 
     The non-rotary style scrubber 32 allows a person to clean an item or surface with the use of a scrubber attachment containing a stationary bristle brush 27. The scrubber attaches to the body of a standard sink sprayer 22, and is contoured to fit easily into a person&#39;s hand. The water running through the standard sink sprayer 22 is not interrupted by the scrubber attachment. This scrubber is unique in that it does not dispense soap. It still incorporates the stand 26 which sets at the base of the sink where the standard sink sprayer hose comes out. This allows the scrubber to be in an upright position at the sink ready for the user to easily grasp and use. As with the other embodiments, the scrubber may be equipped with the non-abrasive sponge and/or standard sponge 21, the vegetable brush for potatoes or mushrooms 29, and/or the scraper (not shown).