Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-11
2002-11-19
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S144100, C015S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481041
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIeld of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices and apparatuses for removing ice, snow, and general debris from vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to tools for brushing away ice and snow using pivotally-mounted brushes which may be positioned at various angles for ease and efficiency of use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Snowbrushes and brooms are commonly used to remove ice, snow, and general debris from vehicles. These tools typically combine a snowbrush and an ice scraper fitted at opposite ends of an elongated handle.
The odd and varied angles presented to a person while cleaning the various glass surfaces of a vehicle make a positionable brush highly desirable. Under certain circumstances, where it is desirable to sweep with an up-and-down motion, the brush is most conveniently positioned in-line with the handle. Under other circumstances, where a push-and-pull motion is desirable, the brush is most conveniently positioned perpendicular to the handle.
Numerous pivoting-head brush designs are known in the art. Most are designed for a specific purpose and are unsuitable for other uses. The majority of these designs either require two hands to operate the pivot action, or have elaborate internal actuating mechanisms, internal conduits or reservoirs for delivering application specific materials, or complex support structures. One design in particular requires that the brush be completely removed from the handle and then reattached at the desired angle. Though well-designed for their particular purposes (e.g. dental hygiene, washing and scrubbing, indoor floor sweeping, etc.), all existing designs are either too complex, too difficult or unwieldy to operate with gloved hands, too expensive, or too small for the purposes of snow and ice removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The tool of the present invention includes novel features which make the removal of snow and ice easier and more efficient. The tool comprises a brush pivotally mounted in a novel manner to a handle. The pivot mechanism is actuated by a large knob which may be easily operated with one hand and whose large proportions are extremely advantageous to an operator wearing gloves. To pivot the brush, an operator merely depresses and turns the knob of the pivoting mechanism. Two pairs of detents, arranged 90° to one another, lock the brush into either a first or second position. In the first position, the brush is aligned with the handle and may be used with a sweeping motion, which may be desirable for sweeping small amounts of snow or ice from the side windows of a vehicle. In the second position, the brush is perpendicular to the handle and may be used with a push-broom-like pushing or pulling motion, which may be desirable for removing large amounts of snow or ice from the front and back windows of a vehicle. Conveniently attached to the opposite end of the tool is an ice scraper.
This combination of ice scraper and pivoting snow brush makes the present invention convenient to carry and economical to own; the pivoting brush makes it efficient to use; and the unique, user-friendly pivot mechanism makes it easy to operate. These and other important aspects of the present invention are more fully described in the section entitled DETAILED DESCRIPTION, below.
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Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
Hovey & Williams, LLP
Spisich Mark
LandOfFree
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