Multipurpose grout cleaning apparatus

• US 9,044,131 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michele Pence
• Original Assignee: Michele Pence
• Inventors: Pence, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): KARLS, SHAY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/654,499
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 151/162, 151/15, 151/60, 151/72, 151/192, 152/101, 152/441
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/10 Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/14 combined with squeezing or wringing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/146 having pivoting squeezing plates
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/258 of adjustable or foldable type

Abstract

A grout and tile cleaning apparatus comprises a grout and tile cleaning head subassembly carried upon a cleaning end of a handle assembly. The grout and tile cleaning head subassembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed absorbent material pivotal support members. The absorbent material support members are pivotally assembled to a control member. The handle assembly is in operational engagement with the grout and tile cleaning head subassembly to convert the absorbent material support members between a cleaning configuration, a downward compression absorbent material removal configuration, and an upward, brush scrubbing configuration. An absorbent cleaning material pad is attached to each absorbent material support member. A brush subassembly is located between the cleaning material pads.

Claims

1. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a handle subassembly, comprising an elongated handle member; and

a grout and tile cleaning head subassembly, comprising;

a pivotable subassembly control member attached at a distal cleaning end of said elongated handle member;

a pair of absorbent material pivotable support members, each one of said pair comprising an absorbent cleaning material pad attachment surface,

a pair of absorbent cleaning material pads, each absorbent cleaning material pads attached to a corresponding one of said absorbent cleaning material pad attachment surfaces, defining a space therebetween; and

a brush subassembly affixed to said pivotable subassembly control member and comprising a complement of brush bristles retained by a brush base, said brush subassembly located within said space defined between said pair of absorbent cleaning material pads,

wherein, said grout and tile cleaning head subassembly is carried by said handle assembly at a cleaning end of said handle assembly.

2. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said absorbent cleaning material pads is fabricated of a sponge material.

3. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said absorbent cleaning material pads is fabricated of a series of chamois leather strips.

4. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said absorbent cleaning material pads is fabricated of a section of absorbent material laminated over a pliant material.

5. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said brush subassembly further comprises a brush base feature configured for selective mating engagement with a corresponding receiving feature provided on one of said pivotable subassembly control members and said handle subassembly.

6. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus comprising:

a handle subassembly comprising functional elements moveably attached to an elongated handle member;

a grout and tile cleaning head subassembly comprising;

a pivotal subassembly control member,

a pair of absorbent material pivotal support members pivotally attached to said pivotal subassembly control member,

a pair of absorbent cleaning material pads, each absorbent cleaning material pad is attached to a cleaning side of said respective absorbent material pivotal support member,

a brush subassembly comprising a compliment of brush bristles retained by a brush base, wherein said brush subassembly is located between said pair of absorbent cleaning material pads,

wherein said grout and tile cleaning head subassembly is carried by said handle assembly at a cleaning end of said handle assembly; and

an operational linkage provided between said functional elements and said pair of absorbent material pivotal support members,

wherein an operational motion of said handle subassembly functional elements operates said operational linkage and said operational linkage motion pivots said pair of absorbent material pivotal support members between a planar, cleaning configuration and a downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

7. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, each of said absorbent cleaning material pads is fabricated of at least one of:

a) a sponge material,

b) a series of chamois leather strips, and

c) a section of absorbent material laminated over a pliant material.

8. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, said handle subassembly functional elements further comprising a sliding element.

9. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said brush is affixed to said pivotal subassembly control member.

10. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, said brush further comprising a brush assembly member which is removably engaging with a mating brush assembly receiving feature provided on one of said pivotal subassembly control member and said handle subassembly.

11. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, said operational linkage being pivotally attached to each absorbent material pivotal support member, wherein, in operation, said operational linkage applies a compression force to said respective absorbent material pivotal support member, causing said respective absorbent material pivotal support member to pivot between said planar, cleaning configuration and said downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

12. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 11, said absorbent material pivotal support member operational surface further comprises at least one tapered section.

13. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 6, said operational linkage being slideably engaging with each absorbent material pivotal support member, wherein, in operation, said operational linkage slides across an operational surface of said respective absorbent material pivotal support member causing said respective absorbent material pivotal support member to pivot between said planar, cleaning configuration and said downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

14. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus comprising:

a handle subassembly comprising functional elements moveably attached to an elongated handle member;

a grout and tile cleaning head subassembly comprising;

a pivotal subassembly control member,

a pair of absorbent material pivotal support members pivotally attached to said pivotal subassembly control member,

a pair of absorbent cleaning material pads, each absorbent cleaning material pad is attached to a cleaning side of said respective absorbent material pivotal support member,

a brush subassembly comprising a compliment of brush bristles retained by a brush base, wherein said brush subassembly is located between said pair of absorbent cleaning material pads and a cleaning end of said compliment of brush bristles extends beyond a cleaning surface of said pair of absorbent cleaning material pads,

wherein said grout and tile cleaning head subassembly is carried by said handle assembly at a cleaning end of said handle assembly; and

an operational linkage provided between said functional elements and said pair of absorbent material pivotal support members,

wherein an operational motion of said handle subassembly functional elements operates said operational linkage and said operational linkage motion pivots said pair of absorbent material pivotal support members between a planar, cleaning configuration and a downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

15. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said brush is affixed to said pivotal subassembly control member.

16. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 14, said brush further comprising a brush assembly member which is removably engaging with a mating brush assembly receiving feature provided on one of said pivotal subassembly control member and said handle subassembly.

17. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 14, said operational linkage being pivotally attached to each absorbent material pivotal support member, wherein, in operation, said operational linkage applies a compression force to said respective absorbent material pivotal support member, causing said respective absorbent material pivotal support member to pivot between said planar, cleaning configuration and said downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

18. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 14, said operational linkage being slideably engaging with each absorbent material pivotal support member, wherein, in operation, said operational linkage slides across an operational surface of said respective absorbent material pivotal support member causing said respective absorbent material pivotal support member to pivot between said planar, cleaning configuration and said downward, absorbed solution removal, sponge compression configuration.

19. A grout and tile cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said absorbent material pivotal support member operational surface further comprises at least one tapered section.