HANDLE FOR REMOVABLE CLEANING IMPLEMENT

• US 20110099764A1
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Berger, Ryan Robert, Teufel, Ranier Bernhard, Surname, Richard Christopher, Rucker, David Calvert, Lane, Richard Lee, Juratovac, Diana Woehnl, Schuller, David William, Policicchio, Nicola John
• Granted Patent: US 8,578,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/421
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/38 Other dusting implements using adhesive surfaces A47L25/005
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/46 Securing scouring or polishing cloths or sponges to the handles by gripping means, tongs, or the like

Abstract

A handle for receiving a cleaning article, such as a dusting device. The handle has one or more tines which are disposed outboard of a reference plane. This geometry provides a friction fit for receiving a removable cleaning device on the tines, without substantial interference. The friction fit retains the cleaning article on the handle during use while reducing tearing which occurs during installation.

Claims

1. An elongate handle for removably receiving a cleaning implement, said handle having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a grip;

at least one tine attached at a proximal end to said grip, each said tine extending therefrom to a respective distal end and having a thickness, said tine defining a reference plane, said reference plane being parallel to said longitudinal axis, at least a portion of said tine being non-coplanar with respect to said reference plane by an amount greater than said thickness of said tine.

2. A handle according to claim 1 comprising two tines, wherein said tines have a thickness taken perpendicular to the reference plane, and portions of said tines alternatingly lie coplanar with said reference plane and non-coplanar with said reference plane, the distance between said non-coplanar portions of said tines and said reference plane being greater than the thickness of said tines.

3. A handle according to claim 2 wherein said reference plane defines two opposed surfaces, and said portions of said tines disposed non-coplanar with said reference plane are disposed outboard of both said surfaces of said reference plane.

4. A handle according to claim 3 wherein said tines are mutually co-planar along said longitudinal axis.

5. A handle according to claim 1 wherein each said tine has a length between said proximal end and said distal end, and further a portion of said tine is non-coplanar with said reference plane substantially throughout said length.

6. A handle according to claim 5 wherein each said tine has an inboard edge disposed proximate to the longitudinal axis and a respective outboard edge transversely spaced therefrom, at least a portion of each said outboard edge being further from said reference plane than said respective inboard edge.

7. A handle according to claim 6 wherein said distal ends of said tines are parallel to said reference plane.

8. A handle according to claim 1 wherein said tines are not mirror images of one another.

9. An elongate handle for removable attachment to a cleaning implement, said handle comprising:

a grip;

at least one tine attached endwise to said grip, said at least one tine being elongate and having a longitudinal axis, said at least one tine being concave about said longitudinal axis.

10. A handle according to claim 9 comprising two tines spaced apart about said longitudinal axis, each said tine comprising a generally flat blade having two opposed faces, one face of each said tine being generally oriented toward a respective face of said other tine.

11. A handle according to claim 10 wherein said tines extend from a proximal end at a common point to respective spaced apart distal ends and defining a length therebetween, said length of said tines being equal.

12. A handle according to claim 11 wherein said faces of said tines define a width, said width of said face increasing from said proximal end to a point intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, and decreasing from said intermediate point to said distal end.

13. A handle according to claim 12 wherein at least one of said tines is hollow, defining a slot through said tine and lying within the width of said face.

14. A handle according to claim 10 wherein said faces of said tines define respective concave faces and respective convex faces, said concave faces being generally non-flat.

15. A handle according to claim 9 wherein said concave faces of said tines define an included angle therebetween of 90 to 140 degrees.

16. A handle according to claim 15 wherein said concave faces of said tines define an included angle therebetween of 110 to 130 degrees.