Toilet brush with interchangeable components

Description

[0001] The present invention regards a toilet brush with interchangeable components.

[0002] One of the needs of the people cleaning the toilet environments, be it the owner of the house, a house servant or a cleaning firm operator, both in private and public sector, regards periodical replacement of the head of the toilet cleaning brush. The term head in this case refers to the tip of the accessory, generally made up of a rigid body onto which bristles made of soft material are attached, intended for cleaning the inner part of the toilet. The head is then usually attached to a handle-stick, provided with a grip for the user and on which a plate is fixed, in the most common embodiments, serving as a cover for the container in which the accessory is placed when not being used.

[0003] Clients of the toilet accessories sellers often request that the replacement operations of the head of the brush be simple, quick and above all allow replacement without touching the head of the used brush with the hands. In particular, the entire zone under the cover of the brush, up to the head, is considered to be subject to accumulation of dirt and thus to be touched the least possible.

[0004] The type of toilet brushes with an interchangeable head currently in the market provide for fixing the head to the relative handle-stick by means of an unscrewing system or else by means of a fastened screw, as shown for example in figure 1 of the drawings attached. However, this fixing system requires holding the head when replacing it.

[0005] In addition, the part of the handle-stick comprised between the cover and the head which, as mentioned beforehand, is subject to accumulation of dirt during use, is not replaced and thus requires frequent disinfection for proper hygiene.

[0006] Some manufactures of toilet accessories have already attempted to solve such a problem, by making some toilet brushes provided with the head and the part of the handle-stick comprised between the head and the cover made in a single piece, of economical material, thus allowing the replacement of the entire block and avoiding cleaning the handle-stick.

[0007] Such assembly is then fixed to the rest of the handle-stick by means of systems, for example a screw, which allow to operate on the upper part of the accessory and perform the replacement operation, hence reducing the necessity to touch the part below the cover.

[0008] However, the abovementioned systems are scarcely practical, given that, as a matter of fact, they require a tool, for example a screwdriver, so as to be able to disassemble the disposable block to be replaced and replace it with a new block. In addition, due to the non-ideal assembly system, the toilet brushes of this type proved to have low resistance during their use, in that it occurs that the head and the relative replaceable handle-stick portion loosen easily, thus requiring new periodical fastening operations on the remaining portion of the toilet brush.

[0009] Document EP 0 867 143 A2 discloses a toilet brush according to the preamble of claim 1. Other toilet brushes with or without interchangeable components are disclosed, for example, in documents DE 92 01 932 U1, US 6 804 839 B1, DE 93 13 551 U1 and WO 2005/095723 A1.

[0010] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above of the prior art in a simple, economical and particularly functional manner.

[0011] In particular, an objective of the present invention is to manufacture a toilet brush, provided with interchangeable components, capable of allowing the user to perform the replacement of the disposable portion below the cover of the toilet brush itself, that is the head and the part of the handle-stick on which it is engaged, quickly, without using tools and without risks of touching the part to be replaced.

[0012] Then, another objective of the invention is to manufacture a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components particularly resistant and reliable, reducing the possibilities of inadvertent detachment of the brush from the portion of the grip of the relative handle-stick.

[0013] These objectives according to the present invention are attained by manufacturing a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components as described in claim 1.

[0014] Further characteristics of the invention are described by the subsequent claims.

[0015] Characteristics and advantages of a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the present invention shall be more evident from the following exemplifying and non-limiting description with reference to the schematic drawings attached wherein:

Figure 1 is a section view, in side elevation, of a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the known art;

Figure 2 is a section view, in side elevation, of a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the present invention; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of the toilet brush provided with interchangeable components shown in figure 2.

[0016] With reference to figure 1, a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the known art is schematically shown in section. It comprises a container 10 inside which the real brush, made up of a head 12 operatively connected to its handle-stick by means of a screw 16, is inserted. Thus, a plate serving as a cover 18 for the container 10 when the brush is inserted inside it, is constrained in the handle-stick.

[0017] As it can be easily understood, in order to proceed to the replacement of the head 12 it is necessary to operate, using an appropriate tool, on the screw 16 positioned close to the head 12 itself and thus well below the cover 18, that is in that portion of the handle-stick 14 easily subject to accumulation of dirt.

[0018] On the contrary, now with reference to figure 2, a toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the present invention is schematically shown in section, indicated in its entirety with reference number 20.

[0019] Analogously to the embodiments of the known type, the brush 20 is configured to be inserted inside a container 22 and is provided with a handle-stick 32 and a head 24 which forms the lower end of such handle-stick 32. More precisely, the head 24 consists of a plurality of bristles 26 made of soft material, constrained around a rigid body 28. Conveniently, the rigid body 28 is made in a single piece with the extended portion 30 which constitutes the lower part of the handle-stick 32.

[0020] Having been made intended for the replacement after a limited period of use, such lower portion 30 is made, just like the rigid body 28 integrally joined to it, with sufficiently solid but inexpensive material, such as for example polypropylene. In turn, the bristles 26 of the head 24 can be made of PVC, in such a manner that the entire replacement element is of low cost.

[0021] The handle-stick 32 is thus provided with a hollow tubular upper portion 34, or grip, which allows to hold the entire brush 20. The grip 34 can be of various shapes, material and finishing, thus following the market trend and, if made of noble material, such as for example chrome-plated brass, it can enhance the value of the entire accessory. Furthermore, at the upper end of the grip 34 a decorative end portion 36 of any design can be inserted.

[0022] On the contrary, at the lower end of the grip 34, that is the end intended for coupling with the extended lower portion 30, a cover 38 having a lower surface made and/or coated with a non-metallic material is fixed in a rotating manner, thus absorbing impact when the entire brush 20 is placed in the relative container 22. In addition, the cover 38 has, on its lower surface, at least one cone-shaped projection 40 which allows self-centring of the handle-stick 32 in the container 22 when the user releases the brush 20 inside it, and a hollow annular projection 46 (figure 3) which constitutes an extension towards the lower part of the grip 34.

[0023] Similarly to the grip 34, also the upper part of the cover 38 can be of various shapes, material and finishing, thus following the market trend and, if made of noble material, such as for example chrome-plated brass, it can enhance the value of the entire accessory.

[0024] According to the invention, with reference in particular to the figure 3 of the attached drawings, inside the lower part of the hollow grip 34, there is, inserted in a non-removable manner, for example by pressure or by gluing, at least a releasable coupling element 42, such as for example a male threaded joint, which serves among others the purpose of withholding the cover 38 at the lower end of the hollow grip 34, but leaving it free to turn around the grip 34 itself.

[0025] The joint 42 is configured to be engaged, preferably by screwing, with a corresponding releasable coupling element 44, such as for example a threaded hole, made at the upper end of the head 24, in a way to join in a removable manner said head 24 to the grip 34. The joint 42 can be made of various materials, plastic and/or metallic, as long as it is provided with the mechanical resistance required to bear bending and torsion stresses to which it is subject during the use of the brush 20.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the joint 42 is provided with a plurality of flexible flaps 52 which, engaging with the internal wall of the lower part of the tubular grip 34, allow insertion by pressure, in the direction of axis A of the handle-stick 32, and the subsequent coupling of the joint 42 in a non-removable manner inside such grip 34, thus allowing it to withhold the cover 38 in a rotating manner due to its annular projection 56.

[0027] Operatively, in order to proceed to fixing a new head 24 onto the group consisting of the grip 34 and the cover 38, the upper end of the head 24 is inserted inside the hollow annular projection 46, in such a manner to fit the male threaded joint 42, fixed at the lower end of the grip 34, into the corresponding threaded hole 44.

[0028] Thus holding the new head 24 firm and turning the grip 34 clockwise, the screwing of the joint 42 into the threaded hole 44 is performed, thus obtaining blocking of the head 24 against the group consisting of the grip 34 and the cover 38.

[0029] In order to prevent the relative rotation between the cover 38 and the head 24 when the latter has been assembled on site, on the internal wall of the hollow annular projection 46 there is at least one slot 48 into which a corresponding relief 50 made at the upper end of the head 24 itself, goes in abutment. In order to disassemble the head 24 used by the group consisting of the grip 34 and the cover 38, all that is required is to hold and keep the external edge 54 of the cover 38 firm in position and, turning the grip 34 anticlockwise with respect to said cover 38, the ejection of the head 24 from the abovementioned group is obtained, through disengagement of the joint 42 from the relative threaded hole 44, hence without touching the head 24 itself in any way whatsoever.

[0030] Thus, it has been observed that the toilet brush provided with interchangeable components according to the present invention attains the objectives described beforehand, given that the replacement of the head is simple and quick, does not require the use of any type of tool and it can be performed without touching the used head. In addition, once the new head has been fastened by hand, the assembly is resistant and does not loosen during use. In practice, the materials used, alongside the shapes and dimensions, may vary depending on the technical requirements.

[0031] Thus, the protection scope of the invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Toilet brush (20) provided with interchangeable components, said toilet brush (20) being of the type that can be inserted inside a container (22) and being provided with a handle-stick (32) and a head (24) which forms the lower end of said handle-stick (32), said handle-stick (32) being provided with hollow tubular upper portion (34) at the lower end of which, constrained in a rotating manner, there is a cover (38) for said container (22), the cover (38) having an external edge (54), wherein inside the lower end of said hollow tubular upper portion (34) is inserted in a non-removable manner at least one releasable coupling element (42) configured to be engaged with a corresponding releasable coupling element (44) made at the upper end of said head (24), in a way to engage in a removable manner said head (24) and said hollow tubular upper portion(34) of said handle-stick (32), said toilet brush (20) being characterised in that said at least one releasable coupling element (42), inserted in a non-removable manner in said hollow tubular upper portion (34), withholds in a rotating manner said cover (38) at said hollow tubular upper portion (34) by means of an annular projection (56) in such a way that, by holding said head (24) firm and turning said hollow tubular upper portion (34) clockwise with respect to said cover (38), the blocking of said head (24) against the group consisting of said hollow tubular upper portion (34) and said cover (38) is obtained and, by holding and keeping the external edge (54) of said cover (38) firm in position and turning said hollow tubular upper portion (34) anticlockwise with respect to said cover (38), the ejection of said head (24) from said group consisting of said hollow tubular upper portion (34) and said cover (38) is obtained.

2. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that said releasable coupling element (42) inserted in a non-removable manner in said hollow tubular upper portion (34) and said releasable coupling element (44) made at the upper end of said head (24) consist of, respectively, a male threaded joint (42) and a threaded hole (44) into which said threaded joint (42) is engaged by screwing.

3. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 2, characterised in that said male threaded joint (42) is provided with a plurality of flexible flaps (52) which are engaged under pressure with the internal wall of the lower end of said hollow tubular upper portion (34).

4. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 2, characterised in that said male threaded joint (42) is inserted in a non-removable manner into the lower end of said hollow tubular upper portion (34) by gluing.

5. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that said head (24) consists of a plurality of bristles (26) made of soft material, constrained around a rigid body (28) made in a single piece with an extended portion (30) which constitutes the lower part of said handle-stick (32).

6. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 5, characterised in that said portion (30) and said rigid body (28) integrally joined to it are made of polypropylene.

7. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 5, characterised in that said bristles (26) of said head (24) are made of PVC.

8. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that said cover (38) has, on its lower surface, a hollow annular projection (46) which constitutes an extension towards the lower part of said hollow tubular upper portion (34).

9. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 8, characterised in that on the inner wall of said hollow annular projection (46) there is at least one slot (48) into which a corresponding relief (50) made on the upper end of said head (24) goes in abutment.

10. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that said cover (38) has, on its lower surface, at least one cone-shaped projection (40) which allows self-centring of said handle-stick (32) in said container (22) when the user releases said brush (20) inside said container (22).

11. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower surface of said cover (38) is made and/or coated with non-metallic material, thus absorbing impact when said brush (20) is placed in said container (22).

12. Toilet brush (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that at the upper end of said hollow tubular upper portion (34) there is inserted a decorative end portion (36) of varying design.

Ansprüche

1. Toilettenbürste (20), versehen mit austauschbaren Komponenten, wobei die Toilettenbürste (20) des Typs ist, der in einen Behälter (22) eingesteckt werden kann, und wobei sie mit einem Stockgriff (32) und einem Kopf (24) versehen ist, der das untere Ende des Stockgriffs (32) bildet, wobei der Stockgriff (32) mit einem hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) versehen ist, an dessen unterem Ende auf drehbare Weise ein Deckel (38) für den Behälter (22) festgelegt ist, wobei der Deckel (38) einen äußeren Rand (54) aufweist, wobei im Innern des unteren Endes des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) auf nicht abnehmbare Weise wenigstens ein lösbares Verbindungselement (42) eingefügt ist, das ausgebildet ist, um ein entsprechendes lösbares Verbindungselement (44) in Eingriff zu nehmen, das am oberen Ende des Kopfes (24) in einer Weise hergestellt ist, dass es den Kopf (24) und den hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) des Stockgriffs (32) auf abnehmbare Weise in Eingriff nimmt, wobei die Toilettenbürste (20) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass das wenigstens eine lösbare Verbindungselement (42), das auf nicht abnehmbare Weise in den hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) eingesteckt ist, auf drehbare Weise den Deckel (38) am hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) mittels einer ringförmigen Auskragung (56) zurückhält, derart, dass durch festes Festhalten des Kopfes (24) und Drehen des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) im Uhrzeigersinn in Bezug auf den Deckel (38), das Sperren des Kopfes (24) gegen die Gruppe bestehend aus dem hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) und dem Deckel (38) erhalten wird, und durch festes Festhalten und Halten des äußeren Randes (54) des Deckels (38) in der Position und Drehen des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) im Gegenuhrzeigersinn in Bezug auf den Deckel (38), das Ausstoßen des Kopfes (24) aus der Gruppe bestehend aus dem hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) und dem Deckel (38) erhalten wird.

2. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das lösbare Verbindungselement (42), das auf nicht abnehmbare Weise in den hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitt (34) eingesteckt ist, und das lösbare Verbindungselement (44), das an dem oberen Ende des Kopfes (24) hergestellt ist, aus einem jeweiligen Außengewindezapfen (42) und einer Gewindebohrung (44) besteht, in die der Gewindezapfen (42) durch Verschraubung eingegriffen ist.

3. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Außengewindezapfen (42) mit einer Mehrzahl von flexiblen Laschen (52) versehen ist, die unter Druck mit der Innenwand des unteren Endes des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) in Eingriff stehen.

4. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Außengewindezapfen (42) durch Verkleben auf nicht abnehmbare Weise in das untere Ende des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) eingesteckt ist.

5. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kopf (24) aus einer Mehrzahl von Borsten (26) besteht, die aus weichem Material hergestellt und rund um einen starren Körper (28) festgelegt sind, der einstückig mit einem verlängerten Abschnitt (30) hergestellt ist, der den unteren Teil des Stockgriffs (32) bildet.

6. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Abschnitt (30) und der starre Körper (28), der einstückig mit ihm verbunden ist, aus Polypropylen hergestellt sind.

7. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Borsten (26) des Kopfes (24) aus PVC hergestellt sind.

8. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Deckel (38) auf seiner unteren Fläche eine hohle, ringförmige Auskragung (46) aufweist, die eine zum unteren Teil des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) ausgerichtete Verlängerung bildet.

9. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass auf der inneren Wand der hohlen, ringförmigen Auskragung (46) wenigstens ein Schlitz (48) vorhanden ist, in den ein entsprechendes, am oberen Ende des Kopfes (24) hergestelltes Relief (50) in Anlage geht.

10. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Deckel (38) auf seiner unteren Fläche wenigstens eine kegelförmige Auskragung (40) aufweist, die eine Selbstzentrierung des Stockgriffs (32) in dem Behälter (22) erlaubt, wenn der Benutzer die Bürste (20) in dem Behälter (22) loslässt.

11. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die untere Fläche des Deckels (38) aus einem nicht-metallischen Material hergestellt bzw. hiermit beschichtet ist, wodurch der Aufprall beim Einstellen der Bürste (20) in den Behälter (22) absorbiert wird.

12. Toilettenbürste (20) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass am oberen Ende des hohlen, rohrförmigen, oberen Abschnitts (34) ein dekorativer Endabschnitt (36) vielseitiger Gestaltung eingefügt ist.

Revendications

1. Brosse de toilette (20) munie de composants interchangeables, ladite brosse de toilette (20) étant du type qui peut être inséré dans un conteneur (22) et étant munie d'une poignée-manche (32) et d'une tête (24) qui forme l'extrémité inférieure de ladite poignée-manche (32), ladite poignée-manche (32) étant munie d'une partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) à l'extrémité inférieure de laquelle, bloqué d'une manière rotative, se trouve un couvercle (38) pour ledit conteneur (22), le couvercle (38) ayant un bord externe (54), dans laquelle au moins un élément d'accouplement libérable (42) est inséré à l'intérieur de l'extrémité inférieure de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) d'une manière non amovible, configuré pour être engagé avec un élément d'accouplement libérable (44) correspondant réalisé à l'extrémité supérieure de ladite tête (24), de manière à engager d'une manière amovible ladite tête (24) et ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) de ladite poignée-manche (32), ladite brosse de toilette (20) étant caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un élément d'accouplement libérable (42), inséré d'une manière non amovible dans ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34), retient de manière rotative ledit couvercle (38) au niveau de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) au moyen d'une saillie annulaire (56) de manière que, en maintenant ladite tête (24) fixe et en tournant ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre par rapport audit couvercle (38), le blocage de ladite tête (24) contre le groupe composé de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) et dudit couvercle (38) soit obtenu et, en tenant et maintenant le bord externe (54) dudit couvercle (38) fixe en position et en tournant ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) dans le sens contraire des aiguilles d'une montre par rapport audit couvercle (38), l'éjection de ladite tête (24) dudit groupe composé de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) et dudit couvercle (38) soit obtenue.

2. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit élément d'accouplement libérable (42) inséré d'une manière non amovible dans ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) et ledit élément d'accouplement libérable (44) réalisé à l'extrémité supérieure de ladite tête (24) consiste, respectivement, en un joint fileté mâle (42) et un trou fileté (44) dans lequel ledit joint fileté (42) est engagé par vissage.

3. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit joint fileté mâle (42) est muni d'une pluralité de languettes flexibles (52) qui sont engagées sous pression avec la paroi interne de l'extrémité inférieure de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34).

4. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit joint fileté mâle (42) est inséré d'une manière non amovible dans l'extrémité inférieure de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) par collage.

5. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite tête (24) consiste en une pluralité de poils (26) constitués de matériau doux, fixés autour d'un corps rigide (28) réalisé d'une seule pièce avec une portion allongée (30) qui constitue la partie inférieure de ladite poignée-manche (32).

6. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite portion (30) et ledit corps rigide (28) uni à celle-ci de manière intégrale sont réalisés en polypropylène.

7. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que lesdits poils (26) de ladite tête (24) sont réalisés en PVC.

8. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit couvercle (38) comporte, sur sa surface inférieure, une saillie annulaire creuse (46) qui constitue une extension vers la partie inférieure de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34).

9. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que sur la paroi intérieure de ladite saillie annulaire creuse (46) se trouve au moins une fente (48) dans laquelle vient en butée un relief correspondant (50) réalisé sur l'extrémité supérieure de ladite tête (24).

10. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit couvercle (38) comporte, sur sa surface inférieure, au moins une saillie de forme conique (40) qui permet un auto-centrage de ladite poignée-manche (32) dans ledit conteneur (22) quand l'utilisateur relâche ladite brosse (20) à l'intérieur dudit conteneur (22).

11. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la surface inférieure dudit couvercle (38) est constituée et/ou revêtue d'un matériau non métallique, en absorbant ainsi l'impact quand ladite brosse (20) est placée dans ledit conteneur (22).

12. Brosse de toilette (20) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'à l'extrémité supérieure de ladite partie supérieure tubulaire creuse (34) est inséré une portion terminale décorative (36) de divers modèles.

Drawing