Two-part handle with release mechanism for dissolvable cleaning head

Abstract

A scrubbing tool for cleaning an inside bowl of a toilet comprising an upper handle assembly having a gripping end and an upper attachment end and a lower handle assembly having a tablet end and a lower attachment end. One of the attachment ends comprises a male attachment end having an outer diameter smaller than a female attachment end of the other attachment ends, such that the male attachment end is insertable into the female attachment end. The scrubbing tool comprises a ledge formed at a transition between a larger diameter portion of the handle assembly having the male attachment end and that male attachment end. The male and female attachment ends include cooperating engagement features that secure the upper and the lower handle assemblies together when the upper and the lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other, to form a unitary handle assembly.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A scrubbing tool for cleaning an inside bowl of a toilet, the scrubbing tool comprising:
 an upper handle assembly having a gripping end and an upper attachment end;   a lower handle assembly having a tablet end and a lower attachment end;   wherein one of the attachment ends comprises a male attachment end having an outer diameter smaller than a female attachment end of the other attachment ends, such that the male attachment end is insertable into the female attachment end;   a ledge formed at a transition between a larger diameter portion of the handle assembly having the male attachment end and that male attachment end; and   wherein the male and female attachment ends include cooperating engagement features that, after insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end, secure the upper and the lower handle assemblies together when the upper and the lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other, to form a unitary handle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cooperating engagement features secure the upper and lower handle assemblies together when the upper and lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 2 , wherein the cooperating engagement features resist disconnection unless the upper and lower handle assemblies are counter-rotated to align the engagement features for axial disengagement. 
     
     
         4 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cooperating engagement features comprise at least one projection on the female attachment end and at least one corresponding channel on the male attachment end, the projection and channel configured so that the projection must be aligned with the channel for insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end. 
     
     
         5 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 4 , wherein the cooperating engagement features further comprise a plurality of arc-shaped ridges on one attachment end configured to interlock with corresponding arc-shaped ridges on the other attachment end upon relative rotation, preventing axial separation of the handle assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 4 , wherein the male and female attachment ends are configured such that, when the ledge abuts the female attachment end, the one or more projections and one or more channels are substantially aligned to permit rotation and mating of the cooperating engagement features. 
     
     
         7 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 4 , wherein one of the attachment ends comprises a connecting projection extending between at least two of the engagement features, the connecting projection limiting rotational travel one the cooperating engagement features are mated, thereby defining a locked position of the handle assemblies. 
     
     
         8 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the upper attachment end is the male attachment end and the lower attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the gripping end and the upper attachment end. 
     
     
         9 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lower attachment end is the male attachment end and the upper attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the tablet end and the lower attachment end. 
     
     
         10 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cooperating engagement features are provided in at least two angularly offset sets, each set allowing alignment and mating of the attachment ends, thereby providing multiple orientation options for connecting the upper and lower handle assemblies. 
     
     
         11 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 4 , wherein the upper handle assembly and the lower handle assembly are detachably connected to one another, and removal of the upper handle assembly from the lower handle assembly requires rotating the handle assemblies in a direction opposite that used to secure them, aligning the projection and channel and permitting the male attachment end to be withdrawn from the female attachment end. 
     
     
         12 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing tool further comprises:
 a cleaning head comprising a back surface forming therein a cavity configured to mate with the tablet end in order to attach the cleaning head to the unitary handle assembly; and   a release mechanism comprising:
 an upper rod assembly comprising an upper rod within the upper handle assembly; and 
 a lower rod assembly within the lower handle assembly, wherein the lower rod assembly is configured to transfer user-provided force from an upper end of the upper rod to a lower end of the lower rod assembly to move the lower rod assembly to contact the back surface of the cleaning head to push the cleaning head off of the tablet end. 
   
     
     
         13 . A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface with a dissolvable cleaning head, the scrubbing tool comprising:
 a handle formed by an upper handle assembly and a lower handle assembly detachably connectable as a unitary handle assembly, the handle comprising a tablet end;   a connection mechanism attached at the tablet end;   a cleaning head attached to the connection mechanism, the cleaning head formed of a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent and having a back surface; and   a release mechanism comprising:
 an internal rod assembly comprising an upper rod assembly at least partially within the upper handle assembly and a lower rod assembly at least partially within the lower handle assembly, 
 a release button accessible from an exterior surface of the handle and operably coupled to the upper rod assembly, and 
 a releasing foot coupled to the lower rod assembly and positioned to contact the back surface of the cleaning head; 
   wherein actuation of the release button applies force through the internal rod assembly to the releasing foot, thereby pushing the cleaning head off the connection mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 13 , wherein the release button is positioned within a release button aperture formed in the upper handle assembly, and the handle assembly comprises a button depression surrounding the button aperture to guide movement of the release button and limit lateral play. 
     
     
         15 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 14 , wherein the release button aperture is a linear slit configured to guide linear movement of the release button and the upper rod assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 13 , wherein the releasing foot comprises an angled contact face configured to engage the back surface of the cleaning head to facilitate removal of the cleaning head from the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 13 , wherein the connection mechanism comprises a projection portion sized to press fit into a cavity of the cleaning head, and a flange larger than an opening in the cleaning head, such that when the releasing foot pushes the cleaning head, it disengages the cleaning head from the projection portion. 
     
     
         18 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 17 , wherein a diameter of the releasing foot is larger than a diameter of the flange and smaller than a diameter of the cleaning head, ensuring proper engagement with the cleaning head and effective removal upon actuation. 
     
     
         19 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 13 , wherein an inner perimeter of the releasing foot comprises at least two round portions and a flat portion, the round portions angling inwardly toward the handle from the flat portion to enhance stability and control during removal of the cleaning head. 
     
     
         20 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a spring disposed within at least one of the upper or lower handle assemblies and configured to bias the rod assembly in a first position, such that actuation of the release button compresses the spring to apply force through the releasing foot. 
     
     
         21 . A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface, the scrubbing tool comprising:
 a lower handle assembly comprising a lower attachment end defining an internal cavity and comprising internal mating features;   an upper handle assembly comprising an upper attachment end dimensioned as a male attachment end insertable into the internal cavity of the lower attachment end, the upper attachment end comprising external mating features complementary to the internal mating features;   a cleaning head attached at an end of the lower handle assembly opposite the lower attachment end, the cleaning head comprising a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent; and   a ledge on the upper handle assembly with the male attachment end, the ledge located at a transition between a larger diameter portion of that handle assembly and the male attachment end, the ledge configured to engage the lower handle assembly and limit insertion;   wherein aligning the external mating features with the internal mating features and rotating one handle assembly relative to the other secures the upper and lower handle assemblies together.   
     
     
         22 . The scrubbing tool of  claim 21 , wherein the upper attachment end and lower attachment end each have a plurality of sets of arc-shaped ridges and corresponding receiving features, providing multiple angular alignment options for connecting the handle assemblies and facilitating ease of assembly by a user.