Grout cleaning device

• US 8,201,297 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2009
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fulmer R. Tracey
• Original Assignee: Fulmer R. Tracey
• Inventors: Fulmer, R. Tracey
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Randall
• Application Number:
  US12/621,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20110113574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 15/503, 15/521, 15/791, 15/82, 15/98, 15/29
• US Class Current: 15/50.3
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/04 with reservoir or other means for supplying substances
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0034 with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3073 Brush for cleaning specific unusual places not otherwise covered, e.g. gutters, golf clubs, tops of tin cans, corners
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/02 Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/028 Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/26 Floor-scrubbing machines, hand-driven A47L11/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/40 Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/405 Machines using UV-lamps, IR-lamps, ultrasound or plasma cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/32 using rotary cleaning members

Abstract

A grout cleaning device includes a housing having a front end, a lower region, and a handle; the lower region being separated from the handle. The cleaning device includes a rotatable brush operatively coupled to the housing at the housing front end for scrubbing grout. A motor is located in the housing and operatively coupled to the brush for rotating the brush. An ultraviolet light is operatively coupled to the housing at the housing lower region for sanitizing grout.

Claims

1. A grout cleaning device, comprising:

a housing having a front end, a lower region, and a handle;

said lower region being separated from said handle;

a rotatable brush operatively coupled to said housing at said housing front end for scrubbing grout;

a motor operatively coupled to said brush for rotating said brush, said motor being located in said housing;

an ultraviolet light operatively coupled to said housing at said housing lower region for sanitizing grout;

means for actuating said motor and said ultraviolet light;

a reservoir for holding cleaning solution;

means for providing cleaning solution from said reservoir to said brush;

wherein said brush has a V-shaped configuration such that a central portion of said brush has a larger diameter than opposed edge portions of said brush;

wherein said lower region is separated from said handle by an open area for receiving a user'"'"'s fingers.

2. The grout cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said housing front end includes a splash guard surrounding a portion of said brush.

3. The grout cleaning device of claim 2, wherein said means for providing cleaning solution provides said cleaning solution inside said splash guard to said brush.

4. The grout cleaning device of claim 3, further comprising an extension device removably coupled to said housing to allow said brush and said ultraviolet light to access an expanded area of grout from a stationary location.

5. The grout cleaning device of claim 4, wherein said housing is waterproof and a battery inside said housing powers said motor and said ultraviolet light.

6. The grout cleaning device of claim 1, wherein:

said lower region is separated from said handle by an open area for receiving a user'"'"'s fingers;

said housing front end includes a splash guard surrounding a portion of said brush; and

an extension device is removably coupled to said housing to allow said brush and said ultraviolet light to access an expanded area of grout from a stationary location.

7. A grout cleaning device, comprising:

a housing having a front end, a lower region, and a handle;

said lower region being separated from said handle;

a rotatable brush operatively coupled to said housing at said housing front end for scrubbing grout;

a motor operatively coupled to said brush for rotating said brush, said motor being located in said housing;

an ultraviolet light operatively coupled to said housing at said housing lower region for sanitizing grout;

means for actuating said motor and said ultraviolet light;

wherein;

said lower region is separated from said handle by an open area for receiving a user'"'"'s fingers;

said housing front end includes a splash guard surrounding a portion of said brush; and

an extension device is removably coupled to said housing to allow said brush and said ultraviolet light to access an expanded area of grout from a stationary location.