Grooming/cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus includes a handle, a support coupled to the handle and a cleaning element mountable on the support. The support is fixed to the handle or is rotatably coupled to the handle for rotation by a drive motor mounted in the handle. The cleaning element may include bristles extending from a flexible mat fixed about the support of about a core mountable on the support. A cleaning sheet is windable about the support, the core or the cleaning element, including over and through the bristles, for dual cleaning action.

1 . A cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a cleaning element;    a support means for carrying the cleaning element; and    a handle coupled to the cleaning element support.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the handle rotatably coupled to the support; and    powered drive means, carried in the handle, and having a rotatable output shaft, the output shaft coupled to the support for rotating the support upon activation of the powered drive means.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 means for coupling the output shaft to the support.    
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the power drive means comprises: 
 a motor mounted in the handle; and    an electrical power source mounted in the handle and    coupled to the motor.    
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the motor bidirectionally rotates the output shaft.    
   
   
       8 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning element comprises: 
 a directional fabric.    
   
   
       28 - 74 . (canceled)  
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the support is rotatable relative to the handle in a first direction and in a second reverse direction.  
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , further including connecting means having a first end connected to said handle and a second end connected to a collection element.  
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein said collection element carries a second cleaning element.  
   
   
       78 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein said second cleaning element is selected form the group consisting of a fabric sheet and a scraper.  
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein said collection element includes an opening through which debris removed from the said directional fabric passes into said collection element.  
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , further including a collection element for selectively receiving debris removed from said directional fabric when the support rotates in said second reverse direction.  
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein a motor is located in said handle for powering the rotation of said support in either the first or second direction.  
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the directional fabric includes fibers oriented in one direction for picking up debris when said cleaning element is rotated in said first direction.  
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 82 , wherein said fibers are mounted in a mat mounted about said support.  
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein said handle includes a start/stop switch and a separate forward/reverse switch, said switches controlling the operation of said motor.  
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein said collection element is disposed alongside said support.  
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including collection means for collecting debris accumulated along said cleaning element when said support is rotated with respect to said handle.  
   
   
       87 . The apparatus of  claim 86 , wherein said collection means comprises engaging means for selectively engaging said cleaning element as said support is rotated and means for receiving and storing said debris accumulated along said cleaning element as said debris is removed in response to said engaging means engaging said cleaning element.  
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 87 , wherein said engaging means comprises one of a cleaning means and a scraper means.