Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Pipe – tube – or conduit cleaner
Patent
1988-11-03
1990-08-07
Roberts, Edward L.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Pipe, tube, or conduit cleaner
B08B 902
Patent
active
049455974
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to rotary cleaning elements.
A particular application of the invention relates to rotary cleaning elements which may be used to clean nonplanar surfaces such as pipes, tubing and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form the invention resides in a rotary cleaning element comprising a head adapted to be mounted for rotation about a central axis, said head supporting three radial arms which are substantially angularly equidistant from each other, the free ends of the arm supporting tool bits which are rotatably mounted thereon about a longitudinal axis thereof the free ends of said radial arms intersecting a plane spaced axially outwardly from the hub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the embodiment; and
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a part sectional view of a second embodiment showing its mounting when in position;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a partial view of the side elevation of the third embodiment along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an underneath view of a fourth embodiment; and
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments are directed to a cleaning element which may be used with cleaning devices of the form disclosed in International Patent Applications PCT/AU86/00314 and PCT/AU86/00123. Such cleaning elements are used to clean surfaces which are generally of a cYlindrical configuration and it is necessary that the cleaning action applied to the surface by the cleaning element is maximised.
The cleaning element of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical hub member 11 which is to be fixed to a drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft.
The hub member 11 supports a substantially circular head 12 through a universal joint 13 whereby the head is caused to rotate With the hub 11 but is capable of pivotal movement about a plurality of transverse axes of the hub 11. The head 12 supports three radial arms 14 which are spaced angularly equidistant around the central axis and are of a substantially equal length. The axes of the radial arms 14 angularly are offset from the transverse plane of the head 12 such that the plane intersected by the free ends of the radial arms 14 is spaced axially outwardly from the outer end of the head 12. The free end of each arm 14 supports a tool bit 15 which is freely rotatable on the radial arm about a substantially central axis of the radial arm 14. Each tool bit is of a substantially frusto conical configuration and the outer periphery of the tool bit is formed with a plurality of substantially axial ribs 16. The tool bits 15 are formed of a suitable tool grade hardened steel or like material
As a result of the configuration of the radial arms all of the tools 15 can be brought into contact with a non-planar surface with substantially equal pressure being applied to the surface through each of the tools. The function of the universal joint permits the head 12 to adopt a variety of orientations on the hub 11 to enable the tools to be applied against the surface with equal pressure. On rotation of the head 12 through hub 11 the tool bits 15 are caused to roll over the surface which together with the force being applied to the surface by the hub will cause disintegration of any foreign material on the surface of the non-planar member. As a result foreign materials can be removed from a surface with reduced abrasive action compared to conventional brushes which rely substantially on abrasion.
The second, third and fourth embodiments are similar to the first embodiment and the same reference numerals have been used in FIGS. 3,4,5,6, and 7.
FIG. 3 illustrates the second embodiment in position in
REFERENCES:
patent: 973046 (1910-10-01), Jamison
patent: 1806127 (1931-05-01), Staley
patent: 2397156 (1946-03-01), Reynolds
patent: 2500238 (1950-03-01), Baker et al.
Dawson Offshore Pty. Ltd.
Roberts Edward L.
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