Cleaning implement with automatic hand regulated shut-off

• US 5,169,252 A
• Filed: 09/20/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chappell International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chappell International, Inc.
• Inventors: Chappell, Gilmore H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US07/763,876
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 401/42-47, 401/148, 401/270, 401/272, 401/273, 401/274, 401/275, 401/278, 401/279, 401/289, 401/204, 401/266, 401/136, 401/139, 401/24, 401/27
• US Class Current: 401/46
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/066 with means for introducing an additive, e.g. soap

Abstract

A cleaning implement is provided with an internal valve for automatic water shut-off which can be regulated by hand. The implement connects to a conventional water supply, for example, a garden hose. When the valve is open, water is supplied through a removable sponge or brush to a surface to be cleaned. The valve is opened when two portions of the implement are pivoted with respect to each other. This can be done by pressing the sponge or brush against a surface to be cleaned, pivoting the two portions of the implement and thereby opening the valve. Alternatively, the two portions can be held by handles, one in either hand, and pivoted to open and close the valve. An opening is provided in the brush or sponge to allow water to stream from a nozzle to the surface to be cleaned, unobstructed. A soap dispenser is also incorporated into the implement. The nozzle and soap dispenser direct fluid from the user when the implement is held in the hands. The implement may be used with other fluids not water.

Claims

1. A cleaning implement for separately scrubbing and rinsing a surface comprising:

a handle portion having a rinsing fluid inlet;

a body portion pivotably connected to the handle portion and pivotable with respect to the handle portion at the connection between an actuated position and a deactuated position, the body portion having a handle, a cleaning element for scrubbing the surface, and a nozzle for applying rinsing fluid to the surface substantially without the rinsing fluid contacting the cleaning element;

a fluid conduit extending from the handle portion inlet to the body portion nozzle; and

a valve for allowing flow through the conduit when the body portion is in the actuated position and for preventing flow through the conduit when the body portion is in the deactuated position, the handle portion and the body portion handle being relatively disposed so that a user may grasp each one, one in each hand, and move the body portion to the actuated position, thereby causing rinsing fluid to be directed out of the nozzle away from the user for rinsing the surface.

2. The implement of claim 1 wherein the body portion handle is moved away from the direction of flow out the nozzle to move the body portion to the actuated position.

3. The implement of claim 1 wherein the handle is disposed at an end of the body portion opposite the pivotable connection to the handle portion.

4. The implement of claim 1 wherein the cleaning element substantially surrounds the nozzle and defines a discharge opening in the cleaning element at the nozzle through which rinsing fluid passes substantially without contacting the cleaning element.

5. The implement of claim 1 further comprising a soap dispenser for dispensing soap onto the cleaning element.

6. The implement of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a soap outlet for dispensing soap onto the cleaning element, and wherein the cleaning element comprises a sponge having at least one slit in communication with the soap outlet for enhancing penetration of soap from the outlet into the sponge.

7. The implement of claim 6 wherein the sponge has a second slit intersecting the first slit.

8. The implement of claim 1 wherein the body portion is normally in the deactuated position.

9. The implement of claim 8 wherein the rinsing fluid inlet is adapted to connect to a source of fluid under pressure and the body portion is adapted to be biased toward the deactuated position by the fluid pressure.

10. A cleaning implement for alternately scrubbing and rinsing a surface comprising:

a handle portion having a rinsing fluid inlet;

a body portion pivotably connected to the handle portion and pivotable at the connection between an actuated position and a deactuated position;

a cleaning element on the body portion disposed so that a user may grasp the handle portion in one hand and apply the cleaning element against a surface for scrubbing the surface while at the same time moving the body portion to the actuated position by applying pressure through the handle portion against the surface;

a nozzle on the body portion disposed for applying rinsing fluid to the surface when scrubbing the surface;

a fluid conduit extending from the handle portion inlet to the body portion nozzle;

a valve in the conduit for allowing flow through the conduit when the body portion is in the actuated position and for preventing flow through the conduit when the body portion is in the deactuated position; and

a handle on the body portion disposed so that a user may grasps the handle and the body portion handle, one in each hand, to move the body portion to the actuated position and thereby operate the valve to direct fluid out the nozzle for rinsing the surface.

11. The implement of claim 10 wherein the nozzle is situated with respect to the cleaning element so that rinsing fluid directed out of the nozzle does not substantially contact the cleaning element.

12. The implement of claim 10 wherein the cleaning element substantially surrounds the nozzle and defines a discharge opening in the cleaning element at the nozzle through which rinsing fluid passes substantially without contacting the cleaning element.

13. The implement of claim 10 wherein the body portion is normally in the deactuated position.

14. The implement of claim 13 wherein the rinsing fluid inlet is adapted to connect to a source of fluid under pressure and the body portion is adapted to be biased toward the deactuated position.

15. A method of rinsing a surface with a cleaning element having a handle portion and a body portion pivotably connected together and a cleaning element on the body portion, the method comprising:

grasping the handle portion with a first hand of a user;

grasping the body portion with a second hand of a user to hold the cleaning element suspended from the surface; and

pivoting the handle portion and the body portion with respect to each other, using the hands, to cause rinsing fluid to be dispensed through a nozzle in the body portion to the surface.

16. A method for alternately scrubbing and rinsing a surface with a cleaning implement having a handle portion and a body portion pivotably connected together and a cleaning element on the body portion, the method comprising:

grasping the handle portion with one hand of a user and pressing the cleaning element against the surface to scrub the surface and to pivot the body portion with respect to the handle portion, thereby causing rinsing fluid to be dispensed through a nozzle in the body portion to the surface; and

alternately

grasping the handle portion with one hand of a user and the body portion with another hand of a user to hold the cleaning element suspended from the surface and to pivot the body portion with respect to the handle portion to cause rinsing fluid to be dispensed from the nozzle to the surface substantially without contacting the cleaning element.