Multi-surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A multi-surface cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes. The body further comprises at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom. The first array is configured for engaging a flat surface and the second array is configured for engaging a woven surface. First and second wheels are guided by a respective annular eccentric race formed by an inset and a boss in the race. The eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races prevent the wheels from engaging a flooring surface when the first array is in contact with the floor and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allow the wheels to engage a flooring surface when the second array is in contact with the floor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a curvilinear dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes;   the body further comprising at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom, the first array configured for engaging a rigid surface and the second array is configured for engaging a flexible surface; and   first and second reduced friction surfaces supported by said body, the eccentrically-shaped body preventing said reduced friction surfaces from engaging a cleaning surface when said first array is in contact with said cleaning surface and the eccentrically-shaped body allowing said reduced friction surfaces to engage a cleaning surface when said second array is in contact with said cleaning surface.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes;   the body further comprising at least two arrays of differing sized bristle packets extending therefrom, the first array configured for engaging a rigid surface and the second array is configured for engaging a flexible surface; and   first and second wheels guided by respective annular eccentric races formed by an inset and a boss in said race, the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races preventing said wheels from engaging a clean surface when said first array is in contact with said cleaning surface and the eccentrically-shaped body and the eccentrically shaped first and second races allowing said wheels to engage a cleaning surface when said second array is in contact with said cleaning surface.   
     
     
         3 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a first attachment for connecting to a selectable removable handle is substantially opposite a mid-point of the first array across the dowel and a second attachment for connecting to the handle is substantially opposite a mid-point of the second array across the dowel. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first array extends along a length of the cylindrical dowel between an 120° to about a 200° arc and the second array extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between an 120° to about a 200° arc. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first array extends from the first lobe and the second array extends from the second lobe, wherein the first lobe extends farther from a central axis of the dowel than the second lobe. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first array comprises a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern different than the second pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first pattern extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70° to about 110° arc and the second pattern, abutting the first pattern, extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70° to about an 110° arc. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second array comprises a first pattern and a second pattern, the first pattern different than the second pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first pattern extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70° to about an 110° arc and the second pattern, abutting the first pattern, extends along the length of the cylindrical dowel between a 70° to about an 110° arc. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein bristles of the first array comprise a first length and bristles of the second array comprise a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing a multi-surface cleaning apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a curvilinear dowel having an eccentrically-shaped body comprising first and second lobes that allows for at least two rows of bristles, a first row on the first lobe and a second row on the second lobe, the rows differing in the lengths of the bristling, the curvilinear dowel supporting first and second reduced friction surfaces allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing lengths of bristle with the cleaning surface during use; and   providing a selectively attachable handle for attachment to at least two attachments located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned.   
     
     
         12 . A combination cleaning brush for rigid and flexible surfaces, the brush comprising:
 a cylinder having a multi-cylindrical shape that allows for at least two rows of bristles, the rows differing in the lengths of the bristling, the cylinder supporting first and second reduced friction surfaces, allowing for differing degrees of contact between the differing lengths of bristle with a cleaning surface during use; and   at least two attachments located about the cylinder for selective use of the desired bristling length for the surface to be cleaned.   
     
     
         13 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 12  further comprising a selectively removable handle to engage in a selectable one of the at least two attachments during use. 
     
     
         14 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 12  further comprising first and second multi-cylindrical end caps forming a fluid resistant connection with said cylinder to prevent passage of cleaning fluid from ends of the cylinder during use. 
     
     
         15 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 22  wherein the first and second wheels are rotatably disposed about the cylinder to allow for varying degrees of engagement by said two rows of differing bristle lengths with the surface type to be cleaned during use. 
     
     
         16 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 22  wherein said first and second wheels are located substantially inboard of said cylinder to allow for edge cleaning of the surface during use. 
     
     
         17 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 22  wherein said at least two rows of differing bristle lengths further comprise differing pattern positions on said cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 17  wherein one of said differing pattern positions is localized in the body of the cylinder with first and second spaced end patterns that prevents said wheels from engaging the surface providing adequate resistance during use on the selected surface type. 
     
     
         19 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 12 , wherein a first attachment for connecting to a selectable removable handle is opposite a mid-point of a first row of differing bristle length across the cylinder for connecting to the selectable removable handle is opposite a mid-point of a second row of differing bristle length across the cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 17  wherein said differing pattern position comprises differing colors to aid in operation of said brush. 
     
     
         21 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 13  wherein said cylinder further comprises first and second labels having differing indicia for guiding the user in selecting which of said first and second attachments to use for selectively attaching said handle for a given surface type during use. 
     
     
         22 . The combination cleaning brush of  claim 12 , wherein said reduced friction surfaces comprises spaced first and second wheels and said at least two attachments comprises a threaded aperature for receiving an attachment handle.