CA1264513A - Molded brush block with integral squeege - Google Patents

Molded brush block with integral squeege

Info

Publication number
CA1264513A
CA1264513A CA000502145A CA502145A CA1264513A CA 1264513 A CA1264513 A CA 1264513A CA 000502145 A CA000502145 A CA 000502145A CA 502145 A CA502145 A CA 502145A CA 1264513 A CA1264513 A CA 1264513A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
block
blade
blade member
squeege
molded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000502145A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John C. Lewis, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
VIKING BRUSH Ltd
Original Assignee
VIKING BRUSH Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by VIKING BRUSH Ltd filed Critical VIKING BRUSH Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1264513A publication Critical patent/CA1264513A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B17/00Accessories for brushes
    • A46B17/08Other accessories, e.g. scrapers, rubber buffers for preventing damage to furniture
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L1/00Cleaning windows
    • A47L1/06Hand implements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/11Squeegees
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/12Implements with several different treating devices

Abstract

MOLDED BRUSH BLOCK WITH INTEGRAL SQUEEGE
Abstract of the Disclosure A combination push-type broom and squeege blade constructed from a molded thermoplastic block is disclosed. The device is suitable for both sweeping and applications of surfacing materials such as driveway coater chemicals. The brush block consists of a thermoplastic molded block having an integral squeege blade. The blade is molded in a predetermined cross-section and interconnected with the block by an integral thermoplastic, thin hinge connector. Pivot stops are provided on the blade so that the blade will pivot a predetermined are relative to the brush block. Tufts may be mounted in the conventional fashion on a opposite face of the brush block. The brush block further includes a conventional handle to form the push broom coater device of this invention.

Description

5~;~

This invention relates to a brush block such as used to contsruct a push bro~m with a squeege attachmen-t particularly suited Eor sweeping and/or resurfacing with liquid-type resurfacing agents such as driveway coater chemicals. This inven~ion relates specifically to a novel device for mounting brush tufts which includes an integral squeege blade.
For the most part prior to the instant invention, push brooms and squeege coaters were normally constructed from a wooden or plastic block with a separate rubber or vinyl squeege blade attached. In order to assemble this type of product, tufts such as tufts of synthetic filaments are assembled on the brush back and then a squeege blade is physically added. The blade normally would be stapled onto the block at a predetermined angle or, if the block is plastic, the rubber or vinyl squeege blade could be molded into the block itself. It was not possible to mold a projection integral with a plastic block, because the projection would not act as a squeege blade. It would be a non-pivoting stiff pusher which would not function as a 2a squeege blade. The prior art then does not contain a means for producing a thin pivoting-type squeege blade integral with a block of structural foam such as polystyrene structural foam or polystyrene structural foam with a flexibility which would permit pivotal movement of the squeege blade in the range of 0.020 inches up to 0.100 inches.
It has been discovered, however, that a brush block of structural foarn plastic may be formulated with an integral squeege blade which will have sufficient flexibillty and yet be sufficiently durable to function as a driveway coater or the like. The block of the instant invention is molded with a "living" hinge connection between the squeege blade and the block itself which is sufficiently thin to insure flexibility. Pivot stops are also molded on the blade so that it will only pivot a predetermined distance. Accordingly, a push broom with squeege attachment can be constructed then merely by tufting a premolded block and attaching a handle.

"" ~.
,~ 3 5~L3 The need for a vinyl or rubber blade and means for attaching the blade to a separa-te block then is climinated by the instant invention.
Accordi.ngly. it is an object of this invention to provide an improved push-type broom or s~ueege coater brush construction which provides an integral pivoting blade.
It is another object of -this invention to provide a driveway coater brush having an integral, structural foam squeege blade mounted thereon which protrudes a-t an angle of between ~0 and 120 degrees from the face portion thereof wherein the filament tuEts are attached.
It is another object of this invention to prov.ide a push-type patio or floor broom having an integrally connected structural foam squeege blade which is constructed of polypropylene structural foam.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a broom or coater block which can be easily molded from thermoplastic material and is durable, crack-resistant, chemically resistant, and sufficiently inexpensive to be a one-use applicator.
These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference to the drawings and following description wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an applicator block according to the instant invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the applicator block of Figure 1 as shown Erom the opposite side.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the block of Figure 2 in brush form.
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along Line 4-4 of Figure 1 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section in the normal attitude.
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section in a flexed attitude.

;4Sl;:~
~ 3 --Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 5 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section also in a flexed attitude.
Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along Line 7-7 of Figure 3 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section in normal attitude.
Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 7 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section in the flexed attitude of Figure 5.
Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 8 illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section in a flexed attitude similar to ~igure 6.
Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional isometric view of a push broom illustrating the pivotable, integrally connected blade section as it is molded onto a foam molded push broom block.
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of a foam molded pivotable blade o this invention illustrating various crenelated designs along the working edge of the blade.
With reference to the drawings and to Figure 1 in particular, the molded integrally connected pivotable blade 101 is shown in a teardrop shape with the blade 101 being integrally connected to a base block 100 through a connecting nlember identiEied as living hinge 102. The block in general can ha~e various other features such as a tufted surface 105, depressions 107 in order to conserve raw material, and a threaded hole 106 for receiving the end of a handle (not shown). Sur~ace 105 may mount a plurality of ilament tufts affixed thereto by any conventional means or by the method and apparatus disclosed in one or more o my prior patents, for example~ RE 27,455, 3,596,999, 3,604,043, 3,799,616, and 4,009,910.
The teardrop shape of blade 101 gives the blade structure strength along its length while the working edge 104 thins down to a small edge on the order of 0.030 to 0.090 i~ .

5~;~

inches thick. Blade 101 has at least one stop member against pivotal rotation. Stop members 103, 103' and 103'' are shown in Figure 1, while stop members 108~ 108' and 108'' are shown in Figure 2. Stop members are intended to stop pivotal movement of blade 101 relative to block 100 with in-tegral living hinge 102.
While the size and position of the stops 103 and 108 are important, the integrally connected blade 101 and connector hinge 102 are the key elements in providing block 100 with a pivotable squeege blade 101.
During structural foam molding, it is most important that a homogeneous bridge between block 100 and blade 101 be formed. This bridge or thin integral member 103 is sufficiently flexible to allow blade 101 to move through an arc between stops 103 and 108 during subsequent use as a squeege. Thus, the thickness of connecting hinge 102 will dictate whether the pivotal movement of blade 101 is very flexible or very stiff.
With attention to Figures 4-6, therein is illustrated the pivotal movement of blade 101. In Figure 4, blade 101 is shown in its normal attitude whereby the blade 101 is angled equidistantly from an open position illustrated in Figure 5 to a closed position illustrated in Eigure 6. Stops 103 and 108 are equidistant from the block surface 100' and separated Erom block 100 b~ the connecting hinge member 102.
As the pivotal blade 101 is moved through an arc "x" as illustrated in ~igure 5, stop 108 engages block surface 100' at point 109 and thereby stops further movement of blade 101.
Likewise, as the pivotal blade 101 i5 moved through an arc "y", as illustrated in Figure 6, the stop 103 engages surface 100' at point 110. This engagement then stops further movement of blade 101. A total of "z" arc is created whereby pivotal blade 101 can move through a given angle in order to act as a squeege member, thus duplicating the action of a conventional rubber or vinyl squeege.

~4513 A preferred embodiment of -this invention is illustrated in Figures 3/ 7, 8 and 9. The driveway coater brush and squeege 200 shown in Figure 3 mounts brush tufts 202 attached to a side of the block 200 opposite the squeege blade 201.
Block 200 is fitted with a ~ooden handle 203 in the conventional fashion.
Figure 7 illustra-tes the normal position of the squeege blade 201 as it is in contact with coating material 209 on a driveway surEace 211. In this position, the blade 201 is in an attitude whereby stops 205 and 206 are equidistant from the block 200 and blade 201 is integrally connected thereto through hinge member 202.
As force is applied in the direction F in Figure 8, the squeege blade 201 flips backward on members 202 and stop 205.
Blade 201 then engages block 200 at point 207 to allow the squeege member 201 to spread coating material 209 into a thin, continuous layer designated as 210 upon driveway surface 211.
As Eurther pressure is applied in the reverse direction to block 200, in the direction G, the blade 201 flips in the opposite direction and allows the stop 206 to engage block 200 at point 208. This engagement allows -the coating material 209 to be spread into a thin layer 210 back over itself to distribute the coating material in a more uniform rnanner. As this action is repeated in reverse directions, first in the direction F and then in the direction G~ the blade 201 moves through an arc of up to 90 degrees. The coater brush/sgueege unit then resurfaces the driveway in a conventional fashion.
Blade 201 acts in an identical fashion to separately applied rubber or vinyl blades in a conventional coater brush unit.
The diEference, howeverl is that the integral blade 201 is molded from the same material as block 200.
The same principle may be applied to push brooms as illustrated in Figure 10 wherein a block 300 is tufted with filaments 306 and has an integral squeege blade 301 attached through and by means of integrally molded hinge member 302~
Blade 301 mounts stops 30~ and 305. The broom has a threaded adap-ter 307 and handle means 308.

~ .~

S~;~

The squeege blade of the ins-tant invention is not limited to -the specific teardrop shape illustrated, for example, in E`i~ure 1, but may have various cross-sectional shapes as well as cutaway thin spreading members attached thereto as illustrated in E`igure 11 in sections 404, 405, 406 and 407. The blade 401 is attached to and integral with block 400 through member 402 and contains stop member 403. It is also possible to use edge 401' of blade 401 to act as a stop means on one side or the other of the blade.
It has been found that other shapes can be employed for the blade sections, and such shapes are not limited to teardrops, but may take the form of triangles, rectangles, circles, ovals and the like. The crucial feature of the instant invention is that the thin integral member between the blade and block must be of a thickness of not less than 0.010 inches and not more than 0.090 inches.
The resins used for manufacturing and molding may be taken from the group consisting of polypropylene, copolymers, polyethylene and polyurethane. Also, the instant invention is not limited to structural foam molding, but can be practiced with conventional injection molding techniques.
In summary, the push-type broom and applicator molded thermoplastic block of the instant invention comprises a broom or brush block of generally oblong configuration having at least three elements. The three elements are a main block section, a pivotable squeege blade integrally connected thereto, and a handle or means for mounting a handle.
Two oE these elements, the ~iber or filament tuEts and the handle, are standard in any brush or broom product. The pivotable, integrally connected squeege blade element, however, is new and novel both to the molding process and to the brush or broom item.
The pivotable blade section is designed to flex through a specific arc as the block is indexed back and forth along a surface. By providing stop means preferably on the blade portion, the arc "z" can be controlled through a total angle 5~;~

of 120 degrees. The preEerred arc, however is between 25 and 40 degrees.
It is the ability of this pivotable blade to index firs-t backwards approximately 15 to 20 degrees in arc "x" as the application is pushed forward, and then index forward by first returning to its medium position of 0 degrees, and subsequently going through an additional 15 to 20 degrees in arc "y" as the applicator is indexed backward. This then provides a full arc "z" of some 25 to 40 degrees and allows the blade section to act in the same manner as a rubber or vinyl blade would if it had been mechanically fashioned to the applicator. This results in a pivotable blade which will either smooth out or distribute a liquid material on a surface, or will act as a "pusher" with a liquid that is to be pushed away on a smooth surface.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the ar-t of brush and broom manufacture that the elimination of fastening a rubber or vinyl squeege mechanically to a broom or brush will save not only raw materials, but up to 70% of the labor and overhead charges as well as packaging and handling charges.
It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art oE
structural foam molding that the integral blade construction of this invention is an improvement over the prior art, including case and economy of manufacture.
This invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced herein.
What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters Patent:
.. ~

Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An integrally molded block and squeege blade for use as a push broom and coater combination comprising:

a theremoplastic molded base block having a face thereon adapted to mount brush tufts to form a tufted surface on said face;
(a) a blade member having a predetermined cross-section disposed along the length of said brush block;
(b) integral hinge connector means connecting said blade member and said block along the length of said block for permitting pivotal movement of said blade member relative to said block; and, (c) stop means mounted on said blade member for engaging said block so that when said blade member pivots relative to said block it will pivot through a predetermined arc until said stop means engages said block against further pivotal movement; and means for mounting a handle on said block.
2. The device of Claim 1 wherein said blade member is teardropped in cross-section with a maximum thickness adjacent said block with a minimum thickness at the trailing edge of said blade member.
3. The device of Claim 1 wherein said hinge means has a thickness of from 0.010 inches to 0.090 inches.
4. The device of Claim 1 wherein said block, integral hinge means and blade member are molded from the group consisting of polypropylene, copolymers, polyethylene and polyurethane.
5. The device of Claim 1 wherein said block, integral hinge means and blade member are molded from the group consisting of polypropylene structural foam or polystyrene structural foam.
6. The device of Claim 1 wherein said stop means permits pivotal rotation of said blade member through an arc of about 120 degrees.
7. The device of Claim 1 wherein said stop means permits pivotal rotation of said blade member through an arc of from 25 to 40 degrees.
8. The device of Claim 1 wherein said stop means includes integral projections disposed on said blade member adjacent said connector means.
CA000502145A 1985-02-28 1986-02-19 Molded brush block with integral squeege Expired - Fee Related CA1264513A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US706,957 1985-02-28
US06/706,957 US4607411A (en) 1985-02-28 1985-02-28 Molded brush block with integral squeegee

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1264513A true CA1264513A (en) 1990-01-23

Family

ID=24839792

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000502145A Expired - Fee Related CA1264513A (en) 1985-02-28 1986-02-19 Molded brush block with integral squeege

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US4607411A (en)
EP (1) EP0195543B1 (en)
CA (1) CA1264513A (en)
DE (1) DE3666658D1 (en)

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US4910825A (en) * 1988-09-01 1990-03-27 Gary Mauer Liquid applicator attachment for a squeegee
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US5060337A (en) * 1989-02-15 1991-10-29 Climbminster Limited Handbrush and method of manufacture thereof
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US5920942A (en) * 1997-04-22 1999-07-13 Easy Day Manufacturing Company Combination mop and wiper
US6058548A (en) * 1998-04-27 2000-05-09 Easy Day Manufacturing Company Removable cleaning element from mop
US6859969B2 (en) * 1999-06-11 2005-03-01 James A. Gavney, Jr. Multi-directional wiping elements and device using the same
US7975339B2 (en) * 1999-06-11 2011-07-12 Gavney Jr James A Aquatic scrubber
US20070033755A1 (en) * 1999-06-11 2007-02-15 Gavney James A Jr Squeegee device and system
US7143462B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2006-12-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US20030131431A1 (en) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-17 Hay Donald Espie Cleaning implement
US7975343B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2011-07-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7089621B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2006-08-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
AU2003277032B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2010-07-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8250698B2 (en) 2002-11-09 2012-08-28 Gavney Jr James A Hybrid cleaning device including absorbent and contact elements
US8141194B2 (en) 2002-11-09 2012-03-27 Gavney Jr James A Absorbent structures with integrated contact elements
FR2857848B1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-09-30 Lbd Menage RACLETTE WITH TWO BLADES
US20060042035A1 (en) * 2004-08-25 2006-03-02 Te-Ching Liu Water wiper
US7717524B2 (en) * 2006-05-19 2010-05-18 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Method of molding a cleaning device with a squeegee
US20090052276A1 (en) * 2007-08-25 2009-02-26 Grieb Edward J Agitator
DE102008029755B3 (en) * 2008-06-25 2010-01-21 Carl Freudenberg Kg broom body
IL233429A (en) * 2014-06-26 2017-11-30 Dan Tyroler Squeegee
CN108430290B (en) * 2015-12-21 2020-11-17 阿尔弗雷德·卡赫欧洲两合公司 Suction nozzle for a hard-surface cleaning appliance and hard-surface cleaning appliance having such a suction nozzle
CN105942923B (en) * 2016-07-01 2019-01-01 清远市蓝海慧谷智能科技有限公司 A kind of Multi-functional cleaning brush
CN105962839B (en) * 2016-07-01 2018-10-19 清远市蓝海慧谷智能科技有限公司 A kind of linkage interlocked mechanism of the brush head and scraper plate of cleaning brush
US10765556B1 (en) * 2018-02-15 2020-09-08 Ahmad Bakir Tarabishy Device and method for clearing intraocular lens condensation during vitrectomy
US10687680B1 (en) * 2019-02-19 2020-06-23 Avraham Even Hinged squeegee
USD927814S1 (en) 2019-02-28 2021-08-10 Unger Marketing International, Llc Squeegee tool
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0195543A1 (en) 1986-09-24
US4607411A (en) 1986-08-26
EP0195543B1 (en) 1989-11-02
DE3666658D1 (en) 1989-12-07

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