I. Background
A. Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to brushes, and more specifically to brushes
having some rows of tufts angled forward and other rows of tufts angled backward.
B. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Numerous types and styles of brushes are known. Typically, brushes include a tuft
holder having tufts that extend at right angles from the tuft holder.
[0003] It is also known, as shown in FIGURE 7, to provide a wire brush 200 having a tuft
holder 202 with tufts 204, some of which that extend at non-right angles. This known
arrangement uses two grouping of tufts 206, 208, where each grouping uses tufts that
are splayed or flared, as shown.
US 2005/0268414 A1 discloses a toothbrush which has a triple cross array of tufts of bristles, wherein
the tufts are disposed in rows which are disposed on a diagonal relative to longitude
and axis of the toothbrush.
WO 2007/116115 A1 describes a brush element comprising bristles and a body segment, wherein the bristles
are optionally set relative to the body segment at an angle (a), which deviates substantially
from the perpendicular direction and wherein the bristles are optionally made of a
metal material.
[0004] While known brush tuft arrangements generally work well for their intended purposes,
what is needed is a brush that provides better performance than known brushes.
II. Summary
[0005] According to the invention, a brush comprises: a tuft holder; a primary operation
axis; a first row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation
axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts; and, a second row of tufts that:
is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis; and, comprises at least first
and second tufts; a third row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary
operation axis; and, comprises at least first and second tufts; and, wherein the first
tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a first tuft
angle within a first plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect
to a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the primary
operation axis. The first tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees
and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, 75 degrees and 87 degrees,
inclusively. The second tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at a second tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second
plane. The second tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and
87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively.
The first tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at
a third tuft angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane. The third
tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively,
and in another embodiment, between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively. The second
tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a fourth tuft
angle within the first plane with respect to the second plane. The fourth tuft angleis
a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively, and
in another embodiment, between 75 degrees and 87 degrees, inclusively. Each tuft in
the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and, is angled at a right tuft angle
within a third plane that is parallel to the primary operation axis with respect to
the second plane, wherein the right tuft angle is substantially 90 degrees.
[0006] According to an embodiment of this invention, the first tuft of the first row and
the first tuft of the second row may form an X-shape when viewed from a position that
is perpendicular to the primary operation axis. The second tuft of the first row and
the second tuft of the second row may form an X-shape when viewed from a position
that is perpendicular to the primary operation axis.
[0007] According to another embodiment of this invention, the brush may comprise: a tuft
holder; a primary operation axis; a handle that extends from the tuft holder substantially
along the primary operation axis; a first linear row of tufts that comprises at least
first, second, and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the
tuft holder; and, a second linear row of tufts that comprises at least first, second,
and third tufts that are formed of a metal and that extend from the tuft holder. The
first and second rows of tufts are substantially parallel to the primary operation
axis. The first tuft of the first row and the first tuft of the second row form an
X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation
axis. The second tuft of the first row and the second tuft of the second row form
an X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation
axis. The third tuft of the first row and the third tuft of the second row form an
X-shape when viewed from a position that is perpendicular to the primary operation
axis.
[0008] One advantage of this brush is that the angled brushes perform better scrubbing action.
[0009] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following
detailed specification.
III. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments
of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of a brush, according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective side view of the brush shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the brush shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 4 is an end perspective view of another brush, according to one embodiment
of the invention.
FIGURE 5 is a bottom perspective view of the brush shown in FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 5 is a side perspective view of the brush shown in FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 7 is a side perspective view off a prior art wire brush.
IV. Detailed Description of the Invention
[0011] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating
embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein
like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components, FIGURES 1-3 show
a brush 10 having rows of tufts 30, a tuft holder 40, and a handle 50. A tuft 30 can
include one or more filaments or bristles 20. The specific number of filaments or
bristles used to make up one tuft 30 can be any number chosen by a person of ordinary
skill in the art. The filaments or bristles may be made from a variety of natural
materials or fibers or from synthetic materials including, for non-limiting examples,
nylon or polyester. For the embodiment shown, the filaments are formed of a relatively
stiff metal and thus the brush 10 may be considered to be a wire brush. Wire brushes,
as is well known to those of skill in the art, are generally intended for use in scraping
undesired materials, such as paint or rust, off of a surface. After the undesired
materials are removed, if desired, the now clean surface may be painted, stained or
otherwise treated. In one specific embodiment, the bristles 20, and thus the tufts
30, are formed of stainless steel. Each tuft 30 can be secured to the tuft holder
40 with a staple, a wire, a screw, adhesive, epoxy or any other fastening means chosen
by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, a handle 50 may extend
from the tuft holder 40. In another embodiment, the tuft holder 40 is itself used
as a handle. It may have one or more textured regions 52 for this purpose.
[0012] With continuing reference to FIGURES 1-3, the brush 10 has a primary operation axis
54. The primary operation axis is the axis along which the brush performs best as
it is moved over the surface it is being used on. For the embodiment shown, the handle
50 extends from the tuft holder 40 along the primary operation axis 54. The tufts
30 may be arranged in rows 60. The number, type, and shape of rows can be any chosen
with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. For the embodiment shown,
the brush 10 may include five predominately linear rows 60 of tufts 30 with two outside
rows, two intermediate rows, and one middle row. The rows 60 may be parallel to the
primary operation axis 54, as shown. The distal end of the two outside rows may have
a section that is curvilinear, as shown.
[0013] With reference now to FIGURE 2, to better discuss the orientation of the tufts 30
within the rows 60, note that the nearest outside row is (except the distal portion)
within a plane 22 that is parallel to the primary operation axis 54. Note also plane
24 which is perpendicular to the plane 22 and parallel to the primary operation axis
54. Each row similarly is within a plane that is parallel to the primary operation
axis 54 and perpendicular to the plane 24. As shown in FIGURE 1, the tufts 30 in the
visible outside row are angled at a tuft angle TA1. Tuft angle TA1 is considered a
forward angle because the distal end of the tuft 30 is more forward (toward the distal
end of the brush 10) than the base of the tuft 30 (where it extends from the tuft
holder 40). The tufts 30 in the visible intermediate row are angled at a tuft angle
TA2. Tuft angle TA2 is considered a backward angle because the distal end of the tuft
30 is more backward (toward the proximal, handle end of the brush 10) than the base
of the tuft 30 (where it extends from the tuft holder 40). It was discovered that
this alternate angled arrangement of the tufts 30 in neighboring rows 60 provides
improved performance when the brush 10 is used along its primary operation axis 54.
The intermediate and outside rows may, in one embodiment, be similarly angled. Thus
in this embodiment the positioning and angling of the tufts 30 are mirror imaged around
a longitudinal axis parallel to the primary operation axis 54.
[0014] With reference now to FIGURES 1-3, tuft angles TA1, TA2 can be any chosen with the
sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. Note that the tuft angles are expressed
as acute angles. According to the invention, the tuft angles are between 60 degrees
and 87 degrees, inclusively, and in another embodiment, 75 degrees and 87 degrees,
inclusively. In still another embodiment, the tuft angles are between 80 degrees and
85 degrees, inclusively. While all the tufts 30 in the outside row are shown to be
angled at the same tuft angle TA1, it is also contemplated to have different tuft
angles for the tufts 30 in the outside row. Similarly, while all the tufts 30 in the
intermediate row are shown to be angled at the same tuft angle TA2, it is also contemplated
to have different tuft angles for the tufts 30 in the intermediate row. While the
tuft angle TA1 is shown to be at the same angle as the tuft angle TA2, it is also
contemplated to have TA1 and TA2 at different angles. If the tufts 30 in neighboring
rows 60 are arranged as shown, they form an X-shape when viewed from a position that
is perpendicular to the primary operation axis 54 (as shown in FIGURE 1). Of course
the spacing and arrangement of the tufts 30 can be such that, in another embodiment,
the use of tuft angles TA1 and TA2 do not form an X-shape. The tufts 30 in the middle
row, are at right angles with respect to the plane 24. Thus, they are shown to have
a tuft angle of 90 degrees.
[0015] With continuing reference to FIGURES 1-3, it is also contemplated to provide one
or more of the tufts for any of the rows to have an inward angle (the distal end of
the tuft 30 is more toward the inside of the brush 10 than the base of the tuft 30)
or an outward angle (the distal end of the tuft 30 is more toward the outside of the
brush 10 than the base of the tuft 30) if desired.
[0016] With reference now to FIGURES 4-6, another embodiment brush 10 is shown. This brush
10 includes tufts 30 arranged in rows 60. The brush 10 may include an outside row
70, which can extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of the tuft holder
40. The brush 10 may include an inside row 72 positioned adjacent the outside row
70. The outside row 70 may angle out at between 75 degrees and 85 degrees inclusively
measured from a horizontal plane on the tuft holder 40. In a specific embodiment,
the outside row 70 may angle out at approximately 82.5 degrees. The intermediate row
72 may angle out at between 75 degrees and 89 degrees inclusively measured from a
horizontal plane on the tuft holder 40. In a specific embodiment, the outside row
70 may angle out at approximately 86.2 degrees.
[0017] With continuing reference to FIGURES 4-6, the brush 10 may include a center field
of rows 74 adjacent the inside row 72. The center field 74 may include one or more
rows 60 of tufts 30. The rows 60 may extend along the longitudinal axis of the brush
10, along the transverse axis of the brush 10, or any direction including, but not
limited to, diagonal. The tufts 30 may be arranged so the rows 60 extend along two
axes, for one non-limiting example, along both the longitudinal and transverse axes.
In one embodiment, the center field includes nine rows 60 of tufts 30. One row 60
is angled towards a first end 16 of the brush 10 and the adjacent row 60 is angled
towards a second end 18 of the brush. In one specific embodiment, the center field
74 includes nine rows 60 with the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth rows 60
angled approximately 81 degrees toward the first end 16, measured from a horizontal
plane on the tuft holder 40; and the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth rows 60 angled
approximately 81 degrees toward the second end 18, measured from a horizontal plane
on the tuft holder 40.
[0018] With reference now to all the FIGURES, many variations of the brushes 10, 10 are
contemplated with some variations including a layout of adjacent rows of tufts angled
in alternate directions. Within each row 60, the tufts 30 can be substantially parallel
to each other or the tufts 30 may have various other configurations. For one non-limiting
example, the tufts 30 within a row 60 may all be angled towards the front 16 of the
brush, but at different angles. For another non-limiting example, the tufts 30 may
all be angled towards the front 16 of the brush and one side of the brush at substantially
the same angle. For another non-limiting example, the tufts 30 may all be angled towards
the rear 18 of the brush at substantially the same angle, but at different angles
to the sides of the brush. A first row 60 may have many different configurations,
and an adjacent second row 60 may have a mirror configuration of the first row 60.
The second adjacent row may be substantially parallel to the first row or the adjacent
row may be offset at an angle to the first row.
[0019] Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
1. A brush (10) comprising:
a tuft holder (40);
a primary operation axis (54);
a first row (60) of tufts (30) that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation
axis (54); and,
comprises at least first and second tufts;
a second row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis
(54); and,
comprises at least first and second tufts;
a third row of tufts that: is substantially parallel to the primary operation axis;
and,
comprises at least first and second tufts; and,
wherein the first tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at a first tuft angle within a first plane (22) that is parallel to the
primary operation axis (54) with respect to a second plane (24) that is perpendicular
to the first plane (22) and parallel to the primary operation axis (54);
wherein the first tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees and
87 degrees, inclusively;
wherein the second tuft in the first row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at a second tuft angle within the first plane (22) with respect to the second
plane (24);
wherein the second tuft angle is a forward acute angle that is between 60 degrees
and 87 degrees, inclusively;
wherein the first tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at an third tuft angle within the first plane (22) with respect to the second
plane (24);
wherein the third tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees
and 87 degrees, inclusively; and,
wherein the second tuft in the second row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at a fourth tuft angle within the first plane (22) with respect to the second
plane (24);
wherein the fourth tuft angle is a backward acute angle that is between 60 degrees
and 87 degrees, inclusively,
wherein each tuft in the third row: extends from the tuft holder; and,
is angled at a right tuft angle within a third plane that is parallel to the primary
operation axis (54) with respect to the second plane (24);
wherein the right tuft angle is substantially 90 degrees.
2. The brush of any previous claim further comprising:
a handle that extends from the tuft holder substantially along the primary operation
axis.
3. The brush of any previous claim wherein:
the first and second tufts in the first row and the first and second tufts in the
second row are formed of stainless steel.
1. Bürste (10), umfassend:
einen Borstenbündelhalter (40);
eine primäre Arbeitsachse (54);
eine erste Reihe (60) Borstenbündel (30), die im Wesentlichen parallel zur primären
Arbeitsachse (54) ist und wenigstens erste und zweite Borstenbündel umfasst;
eine zweite Reihe Borstenbündel, die im Wesentlichen parallel zur primären Arbeitsachse
(54) liegt und wenigstens erste und zweite Borstenbündel umfasst;
eine dritte Reihe Borstenbündel, die im Wesentlichen parallel zur primären Arbeitsachse
ist und wenigstens erste und zweite Borstenbündel umfasst; und
wobei das erste Borstenbündel in der ersten Reihe sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus
erstreckt und winkelig in einem ersten Borstenbündelwinkel innerhalb einer ersten
Ebene (22), welche parallel zur primären Arbeitsachse (54) ist, in Relation zu einer
zweiten Ebene (24), die senkrecht zur ersten Ebene (22) und parallel zur primären
Arbeitsachse (54) ist, steht;
wobei der erste Borstenbündelwinkel ein nach vorne gerichteter spitzer Winkel ist,
der zwischen 60 Grad und 87 Grad, einschließlich dieser Werte, beträgt;
wobei das zweite Borstenbündel in der ersten Reihe sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus
erstreckt und winkelig in einem zweiten Borstenbündelwinkel innerhalb der ersten Ebene
(22) in Relation zur zweiten Ebene (24) steht;
wobei der zweite Borstenbündelwinkel ein nach vorne gerichteter spitzer Winkel ist,
der zwischen 60 Grad und 87 Grad, einschließlich dieser Werte, beträgt;
wobei das erste Borstenbündel in der zweiten Reihe sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus
erstreckt und winkelig in einem dritten Borstenbündelwinkel innerhalb der ersten Ebene
(22) in Relation zur zweiten Ebene (24) steht;
wobei der dritte Borstenbündelwinkel ein nach hinten gerichteter spitzer Winkel ist,
der zwischen 60 Grad und 87 Grad, einschließlich dieser Werte, beträgt; und
wobei das zweite Borstenbündel in der zweiten Reihe sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus
erstreckt und winkelig in einem vierten Borstenbündelwinkel innerhalb der ersten Ebene
(22) in Relation zur zweiten Ebene (24) steht;
wobei der vierte Borstenbündelwinkel ein nach hinten gerichteter spitzer Winkel ist,
der zwischen 60 Grad und 87 Grad, einschließlich dieser Werte, beträgt;
wobei jedes Borstenbündel in der dritten Reihe sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus erstreckt
und winkelig in einem rechten Borstenbündelwinkel innerhalb einer dritten Ebene, welche
parallel zur primären Arbeitsachse (54) ist, in Relation zur zweiten Ebene (24) steht;
wobei der rechte Borstenbündelwinkel im Wesentlichen 90 Grad beträgt.
2. Bürste nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, ferner umfassend:
einen Griff, der sich vom Borstenbündelhalter aus im Wesentlichen entlang der primären
Arbeitsachse erstreckt.
3. Bürste nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei:
die ersten und zweiten Borstenbündel in der ersten Reihe und die ersten und zweiten
Borstenbündel in der zweiten Reihe aus Edelstahl gefertigt sind.
1. Brosse (10) comprenant:
un support de touffes (40) ;
un axe de fonctionnement primaire (54) ;
une première rangée (60) de touffes (30) qui : est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe
de fonctionnement primaire (54) ; et comprend au moins des première et deuxième touffes
;
une deuxième rangée de touffes qui : est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de fonctionnement
primaire (54) ; et comprend au moins des première et deuxième touffes ;
une troisième rangée de touffes qui : est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de fonctionnement
primaire ;
et comprend au moins des première et deuxième touffes ; et,
dans laquelle la première touffe dans la première rangée : s'étend depuis le support
de touffes ; et,
est inclinée à un premier angle de touffes dans un premier plan (22) qui est parallèle
à l'axe de fonctionnement primaire (54) par rapport à un deuxième plan (24) qui est
perpendiculaire au premier plan (22) et parallèle à l'axe de fonctionnement primaire
(54) ;
dans laquelle le premier angle de touffes est un angle aigu vers l'avant compris entre
60 degrés et 87 degrés inclus ;
dans laquelle la deuxième touffe dans la première rangée : s'étend depuis le support
de touffes ; et, est inclinée à un deuxième angle de touffes dans le premier plan
(22) par rapport au deuxième plan (24) ;
dans laquelle le deuxième angle de touffes est un angle aigu vers l'avant compris
entre 60 degrés et 87 degrés inclus ;
dans laquelle la première touffe dans la deuxième rangée : s'étend depuis le support
de touffes ; et, est inclinée à un troisième angle de touffes dans le premier plan
(22) par rapport au deuxième plan (24);
dans laquelle le troisième angle de touffes est un angle aigu vers l'arrière compris
entre 60 degrés et 87 degrés inclus ; et,
dans laquelle la deuxième touffe dans la deuxième rangée : s'étend depuis le support
de touffes ; et,
est inclinée à un quatrième angle de touffes dans le premier plan (22) par rapport
au deuxième plan (24) ;
dans laquelle le quatrième angle de touffes est un angle aigu vers l'arrière compris
entre 60 degrés et 87 degrés inclus,
dans laquelle chaque touffe dans la troisième rangée : s'étend depuis le support de
touffes ; et,
est inclinée à un angle de touffes droit dans un troisième plan qui est parallèle
à l'axe de fonctionnement primaire (54) par rapport au deuxième plan (24) ;
dans laquelle l'angle de touffes droit est sensiblement 90 degrés.
2. Brosse selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente, comprenant en outre :
une poignée qui s'étend depuis le support de touffes sensiblement le long de l'axe
de fonctionnement primaire.
3. Brosse selon n'importe quelle revendication précédente dans laquelle :
les première et deuxième touffes dans la première rangée et les première et deuxième
touffes dans la deuxième rangée sont formées en acier inoxydable.