Patent · US Expired

Removable head mechanism for automatic cleaning device

US4827550A · kind A · utility

136Cited by
35References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 4, 1988
Grant dateMay 9, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 4, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/60
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is provided for transmitting powered motion to an operating member having a removable head mechanism contained within a hollow housing. A motorized base, including a base drive shaft, is locked onto a head drive shaft of the removable head mechanism in response to axial movement of the base drive shaft into the housing. The head mechanism comprises a collet having outwardly radiating arms and inwardly extending feet at the lower end of the collet and a rack at the upper end. The rack engages rotatable gears containing tufts of filaments. The base drive shaft defines a shoulder and a tip at the upper end which is received into the collet. A sleeve, retained within the head mechanism by the inner dimensions of the hollow housing, receives the outwardly radiating arms and compresses them over the tip of the base causing the feet to engage the shoulder. Once locked onto the head mechanism, the axial movement of the base drive shaft causes rotation and counter-rotation of the gears and the tufts mounted within the gears. Unlocking of the shafts is accomplished by pulling the head mechanism away from the base. The rotational movement of the tufts is useful for cleani…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.