Cleaning brush

Abstract

To provide a cleaning brush suitable to efficiently clean a cleaning object such as a toilet bowl.SOLUTION: A cleaning brush A1 includes: a long handle 1; and a brush member 2 attached to a distal end of the handle 1. The brush member 2 includes: a long, rectangular, and plate-like base part 20 having a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b which are mutually opposed each other in a thickness direction; and multiple brush bristles 24 projected from the first surface 20a. The base part 20 is bent to allow the second surface 20b to be directed inward and is fixed to the distal end by allowing both end parts in a longitudinal direction to sandwich the distal end of the handle 1. The base part 20 includes: a first part 21 and a second part 22 whose second surfaces 20b are mutually opposed; and a middle bending part 23 where end parts of the first part 21 and the second part 22 are connected in a bending shape. The base part 20 includes projection parts 25 formed in the first part 21 and the second part 22 and projected from the second surface 20b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning brush, for example, a cleaning brush suitable for cleaning a toilet bowl. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a cleaning brush equipped with many brush bristles for cleaning toilet bowls (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The cleaning brush described in Patent Document 1 includes a long handle and a brush member supported on the tip of the handle. The brush member has a base portion in the shape of a long rectangular plate and many brush bristles protruding from one side of the base portion. The base portion is bent so that the many brush bristles face outward, and both longitudinal ends are fixed to the tip of the handle in a state in which they sandwich the tip. When using a cleaning brush configured in this way, the base portion elastically deforms appropriately by pressing the many brush bristles against an object to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl.

[0003] However, in the cleaning brush described in Patent Document 1, when the brush bristles are pressed against the object to be cleaned, the curved plate-shaped base part is easily bent and the base part may be excessively bent and deformed. This makes it difficult to press the brush bristles against the object to be cleaned properly, resulting in a decrease in cleaning efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Design Registration No. 1493833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been devised under these circumstances, and its main object is to provide a cleaning brush suitable for efficiently cleaning a cleaning target such as a toilet bowl. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0007] The cleaning brush provided by the present invention comprises a long handle and a brush member attached to the tip of the handle, the brush member having a long rectangular plate-shaped base portion having a first side and a second side facing opposite each other in the thickness direction, and a large number of brush bristles protruding from the first side, the base portion is bent so that the second side faces inward, and both longitudinal ends are fixed to the tip of the handle in a state in which they sandwich the tip, the base portion includes a first part and a second part whose second sides face each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bend portion where the ends of the first part and the second part are connected in a bent manner at the middle in the longitudinal direction, and the base portion is provided with a bend suppression means for suppressing bending of at least one of the first part and the second part.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the bending suppression means is formed on at least one of the second surface of the first portion and the second surface of the second portion and includes a protrusion protruding from the second surface.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion extends with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the base portion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the protruding portion has a dimension protruding from the second surface in the thickness direction that becomes smaller from the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the base portion toward the intermediate bent portion.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusions are provided in a plurality at intervals in the short side direction of the base portion.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion is provided on both the first portion and the second portion.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a cleaning brush according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the cleaning brush shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a natural state of the brush member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 1 is used. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 1 is used. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first reference example of a cleaning brush according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the cleaning brush shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a natural state of the brush member. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 10 is used. [Figure 18] 11 is a right side view showing a second reference example of a cleaning brush according to the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 18 is used. [Figure 21] 13 is a right side view showing a third reference example of a cleaning brush according to the present invention. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12 of the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state in which the cleaning brush shown in FIG. 21 is used, with a portion shown in cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 to 5 show a cleaning brush according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning brush A1 of this embodiment comprises a handle 1 and a brush member 2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, handle 1 is a long rod extending along a longitudinal axis Ox. A flange 11 is provided in the middle of handle 1. Flange 11 is a portion that extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ox. A mounting portion 12 for mounting brush member 2 is provided at the tip of handle 1. The mounting portion 12 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The brush member 2 has a base portion 20 and a large number of brush bristles 24, and is attached to the tip portion (attachment portion 12) of the handle 1. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the base portion 20 is in the shape of a long rectangular plate in its natural state, and has a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b that face opposite each other in the thickness direction. The first surface 20a is entirely flat. The base portion 20 has a pair of attachment portions 201 and a pair of through holes 202 at a portion where it is attached to the handle 1 (both ends in the longitudinal direction). The attachment portions 201 protrude from the second surface 20b, and are shaped to fit the outer periphery of the tip portion (attachment portion 12) of the handle 1.

[0019] The numerous brush bristles 24 each protrude from the first surface 20a of the base portion 20. The brush bristles 24 have a substantially uniform length from the base end (the end on the side of the base portion 20) to the tip, and each is tapered so that the cross-sectional area becomes smaller toward the tip. The numerous brush bristles 24 are evenly provided over substantially the entire area of ​​the first surface 21a except for the areas around the pair of through-holes 202.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 to 7, the base portion 20 includes a first portion 21, a second portion 22, an intermediate bent portion 23, and a protruding portion 25. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the base portion 20 is bent so that the second surface 20b faces inward, and both longitudinal ends are fixed to the tip of the handle 1 in a state in which the tip is sandwiched between the end. When the base portion 20 is attached to the handle 1, the portions where the second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction of the base portion 20 correspond to the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The intermediate bent portion 23 is a portion where the ends of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are connected to each other in the middle of the base portion 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The protruding portion 25 is provided on the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. More specifically, the protruding portion 25 is a portion protruding from the second surface 20b of the base portion 20, and is formed on the second surface 20b of each of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the protruding portion 25 is adjacent to the mounting portion 201 at both ends of the base portion 20 in the longitudinal direction, and is provided from the mounting portion 201 toward the intermediate bending portion 23. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, 6, and 7, the protruding portion 25 is in the form of a rib extending with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. Moreover, a plurality of the protruding portions 25 are provided at intervals in the short direction of the base portion 20 (the left-right direction in Fig. 4). In the illustrated example, a pair of the protruding portions 25 is provided at an interval in each of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The dimension of each protrusion 25 protruding from the second surface 20b in the thickness direction of the base portion 20 becomes smaller from the longitudinal end of the base portion 20 toward the intermediate bent portion 23.

[0022] The brush member 2 having the above configuration is integrally molded from a resin material such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Examples of dimensions of each part of the brush member 2 include a thickness of the base portion 20 of about 1 to 2 mm, a longitudinal dimension of the base portion 20 of about 150 to 200 mm, a lateral dimension of the base portion 20 of about 40 to 70 mm, and a length of the brush bristles 24 of about 10 to 20 mm. A width direction dimension (direction along the lateral direction of the base portion 20) of the protruding portion 25 is about 1 to 2 mm, a length of the protruding portion 25 along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20 is about 20 to 30 mm, and a maximum protruding dimension of the protruding portion 25 (maximum protruding height in the thickness direction of the base portion 20) is about 5 to 6 mm. The longitudinal direction of base portion 20 corresponds to the x-direction indicated by the arrow in Figures 6 and 7, the transverse direction of base portion 20 corresponds to the y-direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, and the thickness direction of base portion 20 corresponds to the z-direction indicated by the arrow in Figures 6 and 7.

[0023] Next, the attachment of the brush member 2 to the handle 1 will be described.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the brush member 2 is fixed to the tip of the handle 1 with both longitudinal ends of the base member 20 bent so that the second surface 20b of the base member 20 faces inward. Specifically, a through hole 121 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ox is formed in the tip of the handle 1 (attachment portion 12), and the base member 20 is curved so that a pair of through holes 202 in the base member 20 (brush member 2) communicate with the through holes 121. A pair of retaining pins 122 are inserted from the outside of the pair of through holes 202. The pair of retaining pins 122 are connected, for example, by male-female fitting to prevent separation. As a result, in the base portion 20, a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 are formed in which the second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion 23 is formed in the middle in the longitudinal direction, where the ends of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are connected in a bent manner.

[0025] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] In the cleaning brush A1, a protrusion 25 is provided on the base portion 20. The protrusion 25 protrudes from the second surface 20b of the base portion 20. With this configuration, the portion of the base portion 20 where the protrusion 25 is formed is less likely to deform when an external force is applied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cleaning brush A1 is pressed against a flat cleaning target S1 to clean the flat cleaning target S1, excessive bending of the base portion 20 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to scrub the cleaning target S1 with the brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force thereto. The protrusion 25 corresponds to an example of a bending suppression means in the present invention.

[0027] The base portion 20 is bent so that the second surface 20b faces inward, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the tip of the handle 1, forming the first and second portions 21 and 22, in which the second surfaces 20b face each other, and the intermediate bent portion 23. For this reason, an elastic restoring force is generated in the base portion 20 in a direction in which the first and second portions 21 and 22 move away from each other, and the intermediate bent portion 23 and its periphery tend to bulge in an arc shape. In contrast, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 25 is formed in the base portion 20 (the first and second portions 21 and 22) in a predetermined range from the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction toward the intermediate bent portion 23. According to this configuration, in the portion of the base portion 20 where the protruding portion 25 is formed, deformation in the direction in which the first and second portions 21 and 22 move away from each other is suppressed, and the arc-shaped bulge of the intermediate bent portion 23 and its periphery becomes relatively small. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when cleaning a cleaning target S2 such as a toilet bowl, the intermediate bent portion 23 can be pushed into a relatively narrow space, such as the back side of the toilet bowl rim, and the brush bristles 24 can properly scrub the narrow portion.

[0028] In this embodiment, the protrusion 25 is in the form of a rib extending with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. With this configuration, the volume of the protrusion 25 can be made small, while still achieving an appropriate bending suppression effect in the base portion 20.

[0029] The protruding portion 25 is inclined such that the protruding dimension from the second surface 20b decreases from the longitudinal end of the base portion 20 toward the intermediate bent portion 23. With this configuration, when a pressing force is applied, the protruding portion 25 is relatively easily deformed from the intermediate bent portion 23 to a portion where the protruding dimension is relatively small in the protruding portion 25. As a result, even in the cleaning target S2 having a recessed bent shape as shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate bent portion 23 can be slid into a narrow space and scrubbed with the brush bristles 24.

[0030] In this embodiment, the base portion 20 (the first portion 21 and the second portion 22) is provided with a plurality of protrusions 25 spaced apart from one another in the short-side direction of the base portion 20. With this configuration, the bending suppression effect of the base portion 20 can be efficiently improved.

[0031] The shape of the protruding portion 25 and the range in which the protruding portion 25 is provided can be changed in various ways. In the above embodiment, the protruding portion 25 is provided on both the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, but the protruding portion 25 may be provided on only one of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. In the above embodiment, the protruding dimension of the protruding portion 25 from the second surface 20b is inclined so that the protruding dimension becomes smaller toward the intermediate bent portion 23, but the protruding dimension of the protruding portion 25 may be constant. In the above embodiment, the shape of the protruding portion 25 is rib-shaped in which the dimension of the protruding portion 25 in the width direction (short side direction of the base portion 20) is smaller than the protruding dimension of the protruding portion 25, but the protruding portion 25 may be formed in a plate shape having a large dimension in the width direction and a small protruding dimension.

[0032] 10 to 14 show a cleaning brush according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning brush A2 of this embodiment comprises a handle 1 and a brush member 2.

[0033] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the handle 1 is a long rod extending along the longitudinal axis Ox. A flange 11 is provided in the middle of the handle 1. The flange 11 is a portion that extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ox. A mounting portion 12 for mounting the brush member 2 is provided at the tip of the handle 1. The mounting portion 12 will be described in detail later.

[0034] The brush member 2 has a base portion 20 and a large number of brush bristles 24, and is attached to the tip portion (attachment portion 12) of the handle 1. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the base portion 20 is in the shape of a long rectangular plate in its natural state, and has a first surface 20a and a second surface 20b that face opposite each other in the thickness direction. The first surface 20a is entirely flat. The base portion 20 has a pair of attachment portions 201 and a pair of through holes 202 at a portion where it is attached to the handle 1 (both ends in the longitudinal direction). The attachment portions 201 protrude from the second surface 20b, and are shaped to fit the outer periphery of the tip portion (attachment portion 12) of the handle 1.

[0035] The numerous brush bristles 24 each protrude from the first surface 20a of the base portion 20. The brush bristles 24 have a substantially uniform length from the base end (the end on the side of the base portion 20) to the tip, and each is tapered so that the cross-sectional area becomes smaller toward the tip. The numerous brush bristles 24 are evenly provided over substantially the entire area of ​​the first surface 21a except for the areas around the pair of through-holes 202.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 11 to 16, the base part 20 includes a first part 21, a second part 22, an intermediate bent part 23, and a linking part 26. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the base part 20 is bent so that the second surface 20b faces inward, and both longitudinal ends are fixed to the tip of the handle 1 in a state in which the tip is sandwiched between the tip. When the base part 20 is attached to the handle 1, the portions where the second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction of the base part 20 correspond to the first part 21 and the second part 22. The intermediate bent part 23 is a portion where the ends of the first part 21 and the second part 22 are connected to each other in the middle of the base part 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The linking portion 26 is interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The linking portion 26 is fixed or engaged with the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, in this reference example, the linking portion 26 has a first engaging portion 261 and a second engaging portion 262. The first engaging portion 261 protrudes from the second surface 20b in the first portion 21. The second engaging portion 262 protrudes from the second surface 20b in the second portion 22. The first engaging portion 261 and the second engaging portion 262 in this reference example are integrally connected to each other by recess-projection fitting. Specifically, the first engaging portion 261 is convex and has a pair of projections 261a. The second engaging portion 262 is concave and has a pair of recesses 262a. When the first engagement portion 261 and the second engagement portion 262 are connected, a pair of protrusions 261a of the first engagement portion 261 fits into a pair of recesses 262a of the second engagement portion 262, preventing the first engagement portion 261 and the second engagement portion 262 from being separated.

[0038] The brush member 2 having the above configuration is integrally molded from a resin material such as a thermoplastic elastomer. As an example of the dimensions of each part of the brush member 2, the thickness of the base portion 20 is about 1 to 2 mm, the longitudinal dimension of the base portion 20 is about 150 to 200 mm, the lateral dimension of the base portion 20 is about 40 to 70 mm, and the length of the brush bristles 24 is about 10 to 20 mm. The longitudinal direction of the base portion 20 corresponds to the x direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the lateral direction of the base portion 20 corresponds to the y direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 15, and the thickness direction of the base portion 20 corresponds to the z direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16.

[0039] Next, the attachment of the brush member 2 to the handle 1 will be described.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 14, the brush member 2 is fixed to the tip of the handle 1 with both longitudinal ends of the base member 20 bent so that the second surface 20b of the base member 20 faces inward. Specifically, a through hole 121 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Ox is formed in the tip of the handle 1 (attachment portion 12), and the base member 20 is curved so that a pair of through holes 202 in the base member 20 (brush member 2) communicate with the through holes 121. A pair of retaining pins 122 are inserted from the outside of the pair of through holes 202. The pair of retaining pins 122 are connected, for example, by male-female fitting to prevent separation. As a result, in the base portion 20, a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 are formed in which the second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion 23 is formed in the middle in the longitudinal direction, where the ends of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are connected in a bent manner.

[0041] Next, the first engaging portion 261 having a convex shape arranged on the first portion 21 is fitted into the second engaging portion 262 having a concave shape arranged on the second portion 22. As a result, the first engaging portion 261 and the second engaging portion 262 are integrally connected to form the linking portion 26 interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the first dimension L1, which is the distance from both ends of the base portion 20 in the longitudinal direction to the linking portion 26, is smaller than the second dimension L2, which is the distance from the intermediate bent portion 23 to the linking portion 26.

[0042] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] The cleaning brush A2 of this reference example is used to clean a cleaning target S3 such as a toilet bowl, as shown in FIG.

[0044] In the cleaning brush A2, the base portion 20 is provided with a linking portion 26. The linking portion 26 is interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, whose second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction of the base portion 20, and is fixed or engaged with the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. With this configuration, the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 form a ring shape. When the cleaning brush A2 is pressed against the cleaning target S3 to clean it, the portion of the base portion 20 closer to the handle 1 than the linking portion 26 is appropriately bent. On the other hand, the region formed by the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 in a ring shape is less likely to bend or deform. Therefore, for example, it is possible to scrub the flat portion of the cleaning target S3 (the portion facing the first portion 21 in FIG. 17) with the brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0045] As described above, bending deformation and the like does not easily occur in the annular region formed by first portion 21, second portion 22, intermediate bent portion 23, and connecting portion 26. For this reason, it is possible to scrub the bent portion of cleaning target S3 (the portion facing intermediate bent portion 23 in FIG. 17, such as the edge of the toilet bowl) with brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0046] In this reference example, a first dimension L1, which is the distance from both longitudinal ends of the base portion 20 to the linking portion 26, is smaller than a second dimension L2, which is the distance from the intermediate bent portion 23 to the linking portion 26. With this configuration, a relatively large annular region can be secured by the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26. This annular region is an area that is less susceptible to bending deformation and is suitable for cleaning, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning brush A2.

[0047] In this reference example, the linking portion 26 has a first engagement portion 261 protruding from the second surface 20b in the first portion 21, and a second engagement portion 262 protruding from the second surface 20b in the second portion 22. The first engagement portion 261 and the second engagement portion 262 are fitted together and integrally connected. With this configuration, the linking portion 26 interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 can be easily formed.

[0048] Figures 18 and 19 show a second embodiment of the cleaning brush according to the present invention. In the figures following Figure 18, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] The cleaning brush A3 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is different from the cleaning brush A2 of the first reference example in the configuration of the linking portion 26.

[0050] In this reference example, the linking portion 26 includes a first engaging portion 261 and a second engaging portion 262. The first engaging portion 261 protrudes from the second surface 20b in the first portion 21. The second engaging portion 262 protrudes from the second surface 20b in the second portion 22. In this reference example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first engaging portion 261 includes a recessed groove 261b having a T-shaped cross section and extends in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. The second engaging portion 262 includes a protruding portion 262b having a T-shaped cross section and extends in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. The protruding portion 262b is fitted into the recessed groove 261b. As a result, the first engaging portion 261 and the second engaging portion 262 are engaged with each other and are relatively movable along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20.

[0051] The cleaning brush A3 of this reference example is used to clean a cleaning target S3 such as a toilet bowl, as shown in FIG. 20. In the cleaning brush A3, a linking portion 26 is provided on the base portion 20. The linking portion 26 is interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, whose second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction of the base portion 20, and is fixed or engaged with the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. With this configuration, the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 form a ring shape. When the cleaning brush A3 is pressed against the cleaning target S3 to clean it, the portion of the base portion 20 closer to the handle 1 than the linking portion 26 is appropriately bent. On the other hand, the ring-shaped region formed by the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 is less likely to bend or deform. Therefore, for example, it is possible to scrub the flat surface portion of the cleaning target S3 (the portion facing the first portion 21 in FIG. 20) with the brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0052] As described above, bending deformation and the like does not easily occur in the annular region formed by first portion 21, second portion 22, intermediate bent portion 23, and connecting portion 26. For this reason, it is possible to scrub the bent portion of cleaning target S3 (the portion facing intermediate bent portion 23 in FIG. 20, such as the edge of the toilet bowl) with brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0053] In this reference example, the linking portion 26 has a first engagement portion 261 protruding from the second surface 20b in the first portion 21, and a second engagement portion 262 protruding from the second surface 20b in the second portion 22. The first engagement portion 261 and the second engagement portion 262 are engaged with each other. With this configuration, the linking portion 26 interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 can be easily formed.

[0054] In this reference example, the first engagement portion 261 and the second engagement portion 262 are relatively movable along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. With this configuration, when the portion of the base portion 20 closer to the handle 1 than the linking portion 26 is appropriately bent as described above, the second portion 22 slides to the right, for example, as shown by the arrow pointing to the right in Fig. 20. Therefore, the base portion 20 smoothly follows the force acting when it is bent, and the generation of excessive stress on the base portion 20 can be prevented, thereby improving the durability of the cleaning brush A3.

[0055] 21 and 22 show a third embodiment of the cleaning brush according to the present invention. The cleaning brush A4 shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 has a different structure of the linking portion 26 from the cleaning brush A2 of the first embodiment.

[0056] In this reference example, the linking portion 26 includes a pin 265 arranged in a bridging manner between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, for example, a pin hole 211 is formed in the first portion 21, and a long hole 221 is formed in the second portion 22. The long hole 221 extends along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20. The pin 265 is inserted through both the pin hole 211 and the long hole 221. A head 266 is formed at one end (left end in FIG. 22) of the pin 265, and the head 266 abuts against the first surface 20a, thereby locking the one end (left end in FIG. 22) of the pin 265 to the first portion 21. A locking portion 267 is attached to the other end (right end in FIG. 22) of the pin 265 by means of, for example, press-fitting or screw fastening. As a result, the other end of the pin 265 (the right end in FIG. 22) is locked to the second portion 22.

[0057] In this reference example, as shown in FIG. 22, a first dimension L1, which is the distance from both longitudinal ends of the base portion 20 to the pin 265 (connection portion 26), is smaller than a second dimension L2, which is the distance from the intermediate bending portion 23 to the pin 265 (connection portion 26).

[0058] The cleaning brush A4 of this reference example is used to clean a cleaning target S3 such as a toilet bowl, as shown in FIG. 23. In the cleaning brush A4, a linking portion 26 is provided on the base portion 20. The linking portion 26 is interposed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, whose second surfaces 20b face each other in the thickness direction of the base portion 20, and is fixed or engaged with the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. With this configuration, the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 form a ring shape. When the cleaning brush A4 is pressed against the cleaning target S3 to clean it, the portion of the base portion 20 closer to the handle 1 than the linking portion 26 is appropriately bent. On the other hand, the ring-shaped region formed by the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26 is less likely to bend or deform. Therefore, for example, it is possible to scrub the flat surface portion of the cleaning target S3 (the portion facing the first portion 21 in FIG. 23) with the brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0059] As described above, bending deformation and the like does not easily occur in the annular region formed by first portion 21, second portion 22, intermediate bent portion 23, and connecting portion 26. For this reason, it is possible to scrub the bent portion of cleaning target S3 (the portion facing intermediate bent portion 23 in FIG. 23, such as the edge of the toilet bowl) with brush bristles 24 while applying an appropriate pressing force.

[0060] In this reference example, a first dimension L1, which is the distance from both longitudinal ends of the base portion 20 to the pin 265 (linking portion 26), is smaller than a second dimension L2, which is the distance from the intermediate bent portion 23 to the pin 265 (linking portion 26). With this configuration, a relatively large annular region can be secured by the first portion 21, the second portion 22, the intermediate bent portion 23, and the linking portion 26. This annular region is an area that is less susceptible to bending deformation and is suitable for cleaning, so the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning brush A4 can be improved.

[0061] The linking part 26 includes a pin 265 arranged in a bridging manner between the first part 21 and the second part 22. In this reference example, the second part 22 is formed with a long hole 221 extending along the longitudinal direction of the base part 20. One end of the pin 265 is engaged with the first part 21, and the other end of the pin 265 is engaged with the second part 22 while being inserted through the long hole 221. With this configuration, when the part of the base part 20 closer to the handle 1 than the linking part 26 is appropriately bent as described above, the second part 22 slides to the right within the range of the longitudinal flexibility of the long hole 221, as shown by the arrow pointing to the right in FIG. 23. Therefore, the base part 20 smoothly follows the force acting when it is bent, and the base part 20 is prevented from being subjected to excessive stress, thereby improving the durability of the cleaning brush A4.

[0062] Although the specific embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the concept of the invention. The specific configuration of each part of the cleaning brush according to the present invention can be freely designed and modified in various ways.

[0063] The cleaning brush according to the present disclosure includes the following features: [Appendix 1] The cleaning device comprises a long handle and a brush member attached to a tip of the handle, The brush member has a rectangular plate-shaped base portion having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite each other in a thickness direction, and a large number of brush bristles protruding from the first surface, The base portion is bent so that the second surface faces inward, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the tip portion of the handle in a state in which the both ends sandwich the tip portion, the base portion includes a first portion and a second portion in which the second surface faces each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion in which ends of the first portion and the second portion are bently connected to each other at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction, The cleaning brush, wherein the base portion is provided with a bending suppression means for suppressing bending of at least one of the first portion and the second portion. [Appendix 2] The cleaning brush described in Appendix 1, wherein the bending suppression means is formed on at least one of the second surface of the first part and the second surface of the second part, and includes a protrusion protruding from the second surface. [Appendix 3] The cleaning device comprises a long handle and a brush member attached to a tip of the handle, The brush member has a rectangular plate-shaped base portion having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite each other in a thickness direction, and a large number of brush bristles protruding from the first surface, The base portion is bent so that the second surface faces inward, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the tip portion of the handle in a state in which the both ends sandwich the tip portion, the base portion includes a first portion and a second portion in which the second surface faces each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion in which ends of the first portion and the second portion are bent and connected to each other in a bent manner at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction, The base portion is provided with a protrusion formed on at least one of the second surface of the first portion and the second surface of the second portion, the protrusion protruding from the second surface. [Appendix 4] 4. The cleaning brush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion extends with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the base portion. [Appendix 5] The cleaning brush described in Appendix 4, wherein the dimension of the protrusion protruding from the second surface in the thickness direction becomes smaller as it moves from the longitudinal end of the base portion toward the intermediate bent portion. [Appendix 6] The cleaning brush according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the protrusions are provided in a plurality of portions spaced apart from one another in the short side direction of the base portion. [Appendix 7] 7. The cleaning brush according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is provided on both the first part and the second part. [Appendix 8] The cleaning brush described in Appendix 1, wherein the bending suppression means is configured to include a connecting portion interposed between the first part and the second part and fixed or engaged to each of the first part and the second part. [Appendix 9] The cleaning device comprises a long handle and a brush member attached to a tip of the handle, The brush member has a rectangular plate-shaped base portion having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite each other in a thickness direction, and a large number of brush bristles protruding from the first surface, The base portion is bent so that the second surface faces inward, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the tip portion of the handle in a state in which the both ends sandwich the tip portion, the base portion includes a first portion and a second portion in which the second surface faces each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion in which ends of the first portion and the second portion are bently connected to each other at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction, The base portion is provided with a linking portion that is interposed between the first portion and the second portion and is fixed or engaged with each of the first portion and the second portion. [Appendix 10] A cleaning brush as described in Appendix 8 or 9, wherein in the base portion, a first dimension which is the distance from both longitudinal ends to the connecting portion is smaller than a second dimension which is the distance from the intermediate bend portion to the connecting portion. [Appendix 11] A cleaning brush described in any of Appendices 8 to 10, wherein the linking portion has a first engagement portion protruding from the second surface in the first part, and a second engagement portion protruding from the second surface in the second part and engaged with the first engagement portion. [Appendix 12] The cleaning brush according to claim 11, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are relatively movable along the longitudinal direction. [Appendix 13] 11. The cleaning brush according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the link portion includes a pin arranged in a bridging manner between the first portion and the second portion. [Appendix 14] The second portion has a long hole extending along the longitudinal direction, One end of the pin is fixed or locked to the first part, The cleaning brush according to claim 13, wherein the other end of the pin is inserted through the long hole and engaged with the second part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] A1, A2, A3, A4 Cleaning Brush L1 First dimension L2 Second dimension Ox Longitudinal axis S1, S2, S3 cleaning targets 1 pattern 11. Flange 12 Mounting part 121 Through hole 122 Locking pin 2 Brush member 20 Base 20a Page 1 20b 2nd side 201 Mounting part 202 Through hole 21 Part 1 211 Pin hole 22 Part 2 221 long hole 23 Middle bend 24 Brush bristles 25 Protrusion 26 Collaboration Department 261 First engagement part 261a Protrusion 261b Groove 262 Second engagement part 262a Recess 262b Convex 265 pin 266 Head 267 Locking part

Claims

1. The cleaning device comprises a long handle and a brush member attached to a tip of the handle, the brush member has a rectangular plate-shaped base portion having a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite directions in a thickness direction, and a large number of brush bristles protruding from the first surface, and is integrally molded from a resin material; The base portion is bent so that the second surface faces inward, and both ends in a longitudinal direction are fixed to the tip portion of the handle in a state in which the both ends sandwich the tip portion, the base portion includes a first portion and a second portion in which the second surface faces each other in the thickness direction, and an intermediate bent portion in which ends of the first portion and the second portion are bent and connected to each other in a bent manner at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction, the base portion is provided with a bending suppression means for suppressing bending of at least one of the first portion and the second portion, The bending suppression means is formed on at least one of the second surface of the first portion and the second surface of the second portion, and includes a protrusion protruding from the second surface.

2. 2. The cleaning brush according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends along the longitudinal direction of the base portion with a predetermined width.

3. 3. The cleaning brush according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a dimension protruding from the second surface in the thickness direction that decreases from the longitudinal end of the base toward the intermediate bent portion.

4. 4. The cleaning brush according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions provided at intervals in the lateral direction of the base portion.

5. 5. The cleaning brush according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided on both the first portion and the second portion.

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