Methods and apparatus for installing a scrubber brush on a mandrel

Abstract

In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided for forming a scrubber brush assembly. The apparatus includes a mandrel adapted to be inserted into a scrubber brush so as to form a scrubber brush assembly, the mandrel having: a first end; a second end; and one or more position guides adjacent at least one of the first and second ends and adapted to position a scrubber brush on the mandrel. Numerous other aspects are provided.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a mandrel adapted to be inserted into a scrubber brush so as to form a scrubber brush assembly, the mandrel having:
 a first end; 
 a second end; and 
 one or more position guides adjacent at least one of the first and second ends and adapted to position a scrubber brush on the mandrel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more position guides include one or more notches or tabs along a perimeter of at least one of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the one or more tabs are adapted to couple to one or more corresponding slots in the scrubber brush assembly fixture. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the one or more notches or tabs are adapted to ensure that the scrubber brush does not extend beyond at least one of the first and second ends of the mandrel when the mandrel is inserted into the scrubber brush. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the one or more notches or tabs are adapted to prevent the scrubber brush from moving off the mandrel during operation of the brush assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the one or more position guides are further adapted to guide one or more portions of a scrubber brush assembly fixture to position the scrubber brush assembly fixture relative to the mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more position guides include one or more grooves along a perimeter of at least one of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the one or more grooves are adapted to align with at least an end of the scrubber brush. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel is a single-piece mandrel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein an exterior surface of the mandrel is adapted to contact an interior surface of the scrubber brush when the mandrel is inserted onto the scrubber brush. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the exterior surface of the mandrel includes at least one of knurls, grooves and a rough finish. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the interior surface of the scrubber brush includes at least one of knurls, grooves, and a rough finish. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the at least one of knurls, grooves and rough finish are adapted to create high friction when the exterior surface of the mandrel contacts the interior surface of the scrubber brush. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the mandrel is adapted to couple to a base of a scrubber brush assembly fixture adapted to insert the mandrel into the scrubber brush. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the first end of the mandrel is adapted to be inserted into an opening in the base of the scrubber brush assembly fixture. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein a diameter of the opening in the base of the scrubber brush assembly fixture is approximately equal to a diameter of the mandrel. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the base of the scrubber brush assembly fixture further comprises a plate, wherein the plate is adapted for placement on a flat surface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the plate further comprises a pusher adapted to extend from the plate. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the first end of the mandrel is adapted to couple with the pusher. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the mandrel is approximately equal to a diameter of an interior surface of the scrubber brush.