The invention concerns a tool for cleaning surfaces, i.e. an implement to remove dirt, in particural dust, from furnitures and/or floors and/or walls in houses, or offices, or in many other environments.

The prior art includes brooms, brushes, or similar implements, consisting of a tubular handle fitted with a cleaning head at one of its ends, containing, for example, a plurality of bristles fixed to a crosspiece. Thus, whenever particularly uncomfortable surfaces have to be accessed, for example, the spaces between the elements of a heating radiator, or tr ? spaces between furniture, or high ceilings where dust mainly tends to deposit, a supplementary cleaning tool must be used, fitted with a removable piece at the free end of a tubolar extension.

The use of said implements is non-hygienic, very unconfortable and time-consuming, particularly because it is necessary to separately transfer the cleaning implement from one place to the other with waste of energy and poor officiency in service.

In addition, it is hard to clean uncomfortable surfaces which are scarcely illuminated and that, being out of reach and subject to less control, would require a more accurate cleaning activity.

A problem lies in the difficult detection of dirtiness during the cleaning, thus forcing the personnel to operate rashly, with rough results.

Moreover, cleaning tools such as brooms, brushes which are in continuous contact with dirtiness ar subjected to a quick deterioration of their hygienic conditions which decreases their performances, mainly because they become preferential concentration seat and consequent proliferation zones of bacterial and/or microbial colonies removed from the surface

undergoing the treatment.

This constitutes a serious contamination hazard of the surrounding environment, particularly in case of hospitals, or industrial premises using harmful substances.

In order to avoid this inconvenience the implement needs to be frequently washed thus involving an uncomfortable, unpleasant and bundersome practice.

The state of art may be considerably improved in view of eliminating the inconvenience mentioned above.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to be regarded as providing a cleaning tool which is extremely versatile, efficent and easy to use and which does not involve any waste of time connected to the preparation of a supplementary cleaning tool for cleaning of hardly accessible areas.

The cleaning tool must also be compact and fast to use in any working condition, at the same allowing to obtain considerable improvement in the hygiene condition and low cost.

A further aspect of the technical problem is to provide a cleaning tool which, while maintaining the best intrinsic hygienic conditions, also performs a deep cleaning particularly where areas are scarcely illuminated, effectively highlighting the dirtiness traces to be removed in a simple and economic way.

The invention solves the above-mentioned technical problem by adopting a cleanig tool comprising a cleaning element and a grip, characterized by the cleaning element being insertable in a tubular case.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cleaning element may be inserted into the end of a tubular handle of another

cleaning tool, for example, one e of a broomstick having the other end fitted with a cleaning r J, preferably with bristles, or with a flexible plastic blade at the other end of the handle.

In a further version, the cleaning tool may be inserted in any tubular element present in the cleaning area: this is particularly advantageous when space is very limited, as, for example, in the case of camping or nautical tools; in the latter case the cleaning element may, for example, be inserted in an oar.

The advantages gained by this embodiments are: considerable versatily, compactness and efficiency of the cleaning tool, mainly due to the rational exploitation of the hollow of a broom or brush handle, or any other general tubular component already available in the cleaning area; improvement of hygiene conditions by keeping the supplementary cleaning element in the tubular case; quicker action obtained by the immediate availablility of the supplementary tool; extremely low cost.

The invention further solves the above-mentioned techincal problem by adopting a cleaning tool comprising a cleaning head equipped with a dense formation of filaments or bristles, or any other cleaning means, possibly combined with a stick, which is provided with a lighting unit to illuminate at least the outer bristles and the area to be cleaned in the immediate head operating range.

According to a preferred embodiment, said cleaning tool is provided with germicidal means aiming at selectively spreading antibacterial and/or antimicrobic substances in the bristles and in the immediate vicinity thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, said lighting unit is removable from the cleaning head and may have the shape of a case, which can be slidably coupled with the cleaning head.

The advantages offered by this embodiments are: more accurate and selective cleaning of hidden areas, by illuminating the area closest to the cleaning surface; remarkable improvement of general hygienic conditions, without having recourse to any specific cleaning operations.

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the twenty attached sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a cleaning tool according to the invention, for example, coupled to a broom, or to a further cleaning tool;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the top end of the tubular case, in a first embodiment with an extractable cleaning tool shown in an inner resting position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the top end of the cleaning tool in Figure 2, shown in an outer configuration where the cleaning element is extracted in the working position, i.e. fixed to the free end of the tubular case;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section as in Figure 2, but in a further embodiment of the cleaning tool having the cleaning element covered with an elastically deformable material, for example sponge, and the relevant handle fitted with a male and a female end;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section as in Figure 4, but with the sponge cleaning element in an outer working position;

Figure 6 is a side view of a cleaning tool according to the invention in a further version where the cleaning element is shown in its inner resting position inserted into a telescopic handle, for example acting as a broomstick;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the top end of the cleaning tool in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section as in Figure 7, but showing the cleaning tool in an outer configuration, i. e. a working position;

Figure 9 is a side view of a cleaning tool according to the invention, but in a double version, with a middle and top cleaning

tool, the latter not shown, both inserted in a tubular case, functioning, for example, as a broomstick;

Figure 1 0 is a longitudinal section of the cleaning tool inserted in an inner resting position in the middle section of the tubular case as in Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a longitudinal section as in Figure 10, but with the cleaning tool in an outer working configuration; Figure 1 2 is a longitudinal section of a cleaning tool according to the invention in an outer working configuration, having a handle provided a pair of opposite female and and coupled with a sliding cleaning collar;

Figure 1 3 is a side view of the cleaning tool of Figure 1 2; Figure 14 is a side view, such as that of Figure 1 3, showing the sliding cleanig collar in an intermediate wor'-ing position co¬ operating with the bristkes of said cleaning tool; Figure 1 5 is a longitudinal section of the top end of the tubular case, showing an extractable cleaning tool according to Figures 1 2 to 14 in a inner resting position;

Figure 1 6 is an enlarged side view of a handle suitable for a cleanig tool according to the invention, showing fixing means for removably fix the cleanig tool to a tubular element, such as a broomstick;

Figure 1 7 is a longitudinal section through XVII-XVII in Figure 1 6; Figure 1 8 is a cross-section through XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17; Figure 1 9 is a longitudinal section of the handle of a cleaning tool inserted onto a broomstick and having angularly adjustable coupling means connectir ^ the handle to the cleaning tool in an outer working position;

Figure 20 is a longitudinal section such as that of Figure 1 9, showing the cleaning tool in a inner resting position; Figure 21 is a longitudinal section of the handle of a cleaning tool inserted onto a broomstick and having elastic coupling means connecting the handle to the cleaning tool, shown in an outer working position;

Figure 22 is a longitudinal section of the handle of a cleaning tool inserted onto a broomstick and provided with driving means to

rotate the cleaning tool in an outer working position, around its longitudinal axis;

Figure 23 is a side view of the cleaning tool as shown in Figure

22;

Figure 24 is a longitudinal section of a cleaning tool according to the invention, having a handle provided with an openable receptacle containing items, i. e. tissues, in a closed configuration;

Figure 25 is a longitudinal section such as that of Figure 24, but in open configuration;

Figure 26 a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to the invention, in a version for floor cleaning comprising a broomstick and a cleaning head provided with a side-extractable lighting means and a germicidal apparatus;

Figure 27 is a side view of Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a section through XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 27, enlarged and partly interrupted;

Figure 29 is a section through XXIX-XXIX of Figure 28, partly interrupted;

Figure 30 is a longitudinal section of an cleaning tool according to the invention, in a further embodiment with illuminating and germicide means assembled in the broomstick;

Figure 31 is a longitudinal section of a cleaning tool according to the invention in the version without stick;

Figure 32 shows a cross section of a cleaning tool according to the invention, in the version with "U"-shaped wall support and external germicidal means;

Figure 33 is a section through XXXIII-XXXIII of Figure 32;

Figure 34 is a section though XXXIV-XXXIV od Figure 33;

Figure 35 is an enlarged detail of the fixing means for fixing a optical fiber diffuser outer ends to the enclosure of the cleaning tool;

Figure 36 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to the invention, in a version for floor cleaning comprising a broomstick and a cleaning head provided with a bell-shaped lighting unit slidably coupled with the broomstick;

Figure 37 is a side view of the cleaning tool of Figure 36, showing

the lighting unit sectioned;

Figure 38 is a front view of the cleaning tool of Figure 36, showing the lighting unit sectioned; Figure 39 is a plan view of the cleaning tool of Figure 36; Figure 40 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to the invention, in a version for floor cleaning comprising a broomstick and a bridge-shaped cleaning head provided with a cavity accomodating an extractable lighting unit; Figure 41 is a section through LXI-LXI in Figure 40; Figure 42 is a front view of the extractable lighting unit of the cleaning tool of Figure 40, in a closed configuration; Figure 43 is a front view such as that of Figure 42 with the extractable lighting unit in an open configuration.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a cleaning tool 1 , according to the invention may comprise a tubular casing 2, for example, a broom or brush handle or another implement for domestic cleaning, or cleaning of environments in general, suitable for using as a case for a cleaning element 3; said cleaning element having a straight extended form in the shape of a cleaning rod 3 comprising a stem 4 and a plurality of bristles 5 spaced radially.

In a further version, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cleaning element 3a may consist of a substantially rigid core 6, covered with a layer 7 of soft material, e.g. spongy or fabric.

As an alternative, see Figures 10, 1 1 , the core 6 may also be covered with an elastically deformable covering 8 supporting peripheral cleaning fringes 9, e.g. made of fabric or similar material.

It must be noted that the cleaning tool, in the version with the layer 7 of soft material and/or with the elastically deformable covering 8 has the further advantage of being moistenεble for a more efficient removal of dirt from surfaces: this, in particular applies when fringes 9 are provided for on the liner 8, or on the

layer 7.

The stem 4, or the core 6, shows one of the ends fixed to a coupling element 1 0 having a tang 1 1 equipped with two coupling ends 1 3, 1 5 co-operating with the corresponding end of the tubular case 2.

The tang 1 1 may be provided with a stop peripheral ring 1 2, to axially define an inner rest position (Figure 2) and/or an outer working position (Figure 3) of the cleaning element 3 when the tubular case acts as an extention of said cleaning element.

The cleaning tool may be gripped, holding it by the coupling element 10, functoning as a handle, in particular when the surface to be cleaned is in a comfortable position.

A first coupling end 1 3 of the tang 1 1 , has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular case 2, so that it can be placed into the tubular case 2 in the working position; said first coupling end 1 3 may be equipped with a hole 14 to hang up the cleaning tool 1 .

In a further embodiment, the tang 1 1 may be provided with a second coupling end 1 5 having a tubular shape, with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the case 2, so that it may be inserted as a hood on the corresponding end of the case 2 and intented as a sealed connection to the external surface of the latter.

As shown in Figure 6 to 1 1 , the cleaning tool 1 may also have a variable length, being for instance telescopic, and is provided with an upper sleeve 1 6 sliding axially on the outer surface of the case 2; said sleeve being guided by projecting rings 1 7, 1 7a provided for at the inside of the sleeve 2 at the oppisite ends thereof.

The sleeve length corresponds at least to the length of the

cleanr i element 3, 3a.

The cleaning element 3, 3a may be fixed to a support 1 8 of the case 2, acting as said tang 1 1 , and equipped with a peripheral end ring 1 9 acting as a stop rabbet and guide for the sleeve 1 6.

Th_ projecting ring 17 at one end of the sleeve 1 6, defines an opening 20 through which the cleaning element is allowed to pass when the sleeve is pulled backward.

The support 1 8 may be replaced by a radially expandable bushing 21 , to give stability to the axial position of the case 2 in the event that the sleeve 1 6 must be locked in position overlapping the cleaning element 3a.

The latter version allows particularly rapid use of the cleaning element as well as being very compact: it is, therefore, particularly suitable for professional use, or in applications requiring particular ease of handling.

It must be noted that in case more cleaning elements than can be inserted in one tubular case are required, or a conventional c'eaning tool needs to be fitted with the cleaning element as per t. ie inventon, e.g. a broom with a wooden handle, it is possible to insert the cleaning element in a tubular case 22, which may be coupled to the case 2, or to the handle of a conventional broom by means elastic hooking means 23.

The tubular case 22 can be realized in resilient material, e.g. plastic, and may be fitted with a slot corresponding to a generating line to make insertion and extraction of the cleaning tool more rapid.

Operation is as follows: the cleaning element 3, 3a is extracted from the tubular case 2, 22 by gripping the coupling element 1 0 and inserting it in the end of the tubular case 2, functioning as

axial extension: alternatively, the cleaning element may be used holding it by the coupling element 1 0 thus functioning as a grip. With the version as in Figures 7 and 8, the sleeve 1 6 is slid to uncover the cleaning element 3a allowing its immediate use.

As shown in Figure 1 2, the tang, or handle, 1 1 is bilaterally provided with a pair of said second coupling ends 1 5 having tubular shape: one of said coupling ends 1 5 is coupled with a sliding cleaning collar 24 having at least one end provided with a saw-toothed profile 25; said collar is slidably movable in a direction of arrow F along the axis of the stem 4, as shown in Figure 1 4, so that the saw-toothed profile 25 can act as a comb and clean the bristles 5 when passing through them.

Figure 1 5 shows that when the cleaning tool 3 is in its inner resting configuration inside the tubular case 2, the cleaning collar 24 is frictonally engaged with the external surface of said second coupling end 1 5 having tubular shape.

It is to be undestood that the sliding collar 24 may also be inserable into one of the second coupling end 1 5: in this case the outer surface of the collar 24 is frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the tubular end 1 5, while the outer surface of said tubular end is frictionally inserable into the corresponding end of the tubular case 2.

As shown in Figure 1 6, 1 7, 1 8 the tang, or handle, 1 1 is provided with a lateral recess 26 accomodating elastic hooking means having the shape of an interrupted ring 27; said interrupted ring being provided with an arm 28 rotatably connected to a fork 29 projecting into said lateral recess 26 by means of a hinge 30.

The cleaning collar 24 is preferably provided, at its end opposed to the saw-toothed profile 25, with locking means in the shape of an inner annular projection 31 insertable into a corresponding groove provided on the outer surface of the tang 1 1 .

As shown in Figures 1 9, 20, the stem 4 is connected to the tang 1 1 by angularly adjustable means 32 comprising a first arm 33 fixed to said stem 4 at one end and pivotally connected at the other end to one end of a second arm 34 having the other end screwed to the tang 1 1 so that the angular position of the stem with respect to said tang may be freely set by the user, depending on the angular position of the surface to be cleaned. The internal corresponding surfaces said first arm 33 and of said second arm 34 are provided with friction means, i.e. opposing toothed surfaces not shown.

As shown in Figure 21 , said stem 4 is connected to said tang, or handle, 1 1 by elastically deformable means 35, such as an elical spring having one end wound around the stem 4 and the othe end wound around a pin 36 projecting from the tang 1 1 : this provision allows to perform a better cleanig action when cleaning wall surfaces, since the tubular case 2, 22 may be hold by a user standing in different positions with respect to the wall, while the cleaning element 5, 7, 9 is kept firmly in contact with the wall by the action of said elastic means.

Said second coupling end 1 5 may be provided with a notch 37, or preferably a pair of diametrically opposed notches, to facilitate a radial expansion of the relative end 1 5 when it is inserted onto the tubular case 2 and/or when it is coupled with the sliding collar 24.

As shown in Figures 22, 23 said stem 4 has its inner end coupled with electric driving means 38, accomodated into an openable cavity 39 of the tang 1 1 , to rotate the cleaning tool 3 around the longitudinal axis of the stem 4. Said electric driving means 3L are fed by batteries 40, lodged into said cavity 39 and are provided with switching means 41 .

With reference to Figures 24, 25, one of said second coupling end 1 5 is provided with a cover 42 defining a chamber 43 wherein

useful items may be placed, namely cleaning disposable tissues 44. Said chamber 43 is partially closed, at its end facing the cover 42, by a wall 45 having a slot 46 through which tissues 44 may be extracted.

With reference to Figure 26, number 1 01 indicates a cleaning tool, equipped with an extractable lighting unit 1 02, combined with a bactericidal means 1 03, such as a ionizer, or a similar supplier of disinfectants; 104 is a cleaning head of said cleaning tool 101 , provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 1 05 acting as guides for slip coupling with the bottom edges of sides 1 06 of a case 1 10 having the shape of a box; 107 is a broomstick inserted in the upper median part of head 104, having at its bottom a dense formation of filaments, or bristles 108, usually made up of plastics.

The illuminating means 102 comprises one diffuser at least, preferably two pairs of thread diffuser means 109, made up of glass or plastic optical fibers, inserted in said case 1 1 0 and having one outer end fixed to corresponding through holes 1 1 1 of sides 106. The axis A1 , A2 of the holes 1 1 1 are directed downwards to diverge according to the directions where each diffuser 1 09 light beam 1 1 2 is expected to light up. Said diffusers 109 have inner ends associated with a supporting element 1 1 3 having a tubular light collector 1 1 5 having an inner reflecting surface to focus a light beam by means of a focusing lens 1 1 6; said light beam being produced by a respective light source 1 14.

Said light source 1 14 can emit ultraviolet light radiation in order to provide a light beam 1 1 2 having an antibacterial and germicidal action on the area to be cleaned and/or on the bristles 1 08. Besides, the ultraviolet light can better highlight dirtiness traces.

The case 1 10 contains also a low voltage accumulating power supply unit 1 1 8, such as pile or battery, 1 ,5 V, together with the bactericidal means, the latter comprising a plate 1 1 9 with sharp-

ended blades to spread negative ions in the surrounding environment thus causing the precipitation of the present microbial particles; said plate 1 1 9 is supplied by an electronic board 1 21 generating ions.

The case 1 1 0 is further equipped with rear slots 1 22 to allow the passage of ions or the disinfectant produced towards outside and is also equipped with a removable cover 1 23 to reach battery seat 1 1 8.

Lighting means 1 02 can be operated either manually by pressing a switching means 1 24 inserted in the optical fibers supply circuit, even in an ergonomical position, for instance - according to a non represented version - in the stick. Lighting means 1 02 may also be operated automatically by means of a photo sensor 1 25.

According to Figure 30 the broomstick 1 07 is hollow to accomodate said lighting means 1 02 and possibly said bactericidal means 3 that can be for instance inserted in an extractable inner coaxial bular enclosure 1 26.

In Figure 6, said lighting means 102 and possibly said bactericidal means 3 are inserted ina hollow head of a brush-shaped cleaning tool 1 28 provided with an upper removable lid 1 29.

The cleaning tool 1 01 , 1 28 can be lodged, when unused, in a support 1 30 having a "U" shaped vertical section, fixed to a wall 1 31 , or combined with a dustbin, not shown. In this version, the ionizer 103 is inserted in a recess 1 32 placed at the back of the "U" wall wing 1 31 and it will be continuously supplied by transformer 1 33 through a socket 1 33a, or at fixed intervals by means of a timer, not shown.

One of the sides of the cleaning head 104 may be connected by means of a vertical dovetail coupling 1 34, into one of the sides of the support 1 30, to be extracted by lifting. On the same side

where said dovetail coupling 1 34 is provided, frontal contacts 1 35 are also provided, elastically slipping in an axial direction, electrically connected to corresponding fixed contacts 1 36 of the support 1 30, for the recharging of the power supply unit 1 1 8. The other wing of support 1 30 is provided with a comb 1 37 bent downwards in ordr to clean the bristles 1 08 when lifting the cleaning tool 101 .

With reference to Figure 36, a cleaning tool 101 may be equipped with a lighting unit 1 38 comprising a bell-shaped hollow body 1 39, axially slidable in a longitudianal direction along the axis of the broomstick 107, and provided with coupling means 140 for elastically centering said body with respect to said broomstick.

Said body 1 39 has a preferably oval lower end 141 resting onto the upper surface of the cleaning head 1 04 and a preferably circular upper end 142 internally provided with a sealing ring 143.

The lower end 141 has a pair of lateral hollow bulges 1 44 accomodating corresponding lighting lamps 145 electrically connected to batteries 1 1 8; said lamps 145 are enclosed by a protective transparent screen 1 45a and can be switched on by activating switching means 146, laterally positioned on the body 1 38. Said body 1 38 is also equipped with a plug, or socket, 147 for connection to an electric power supply in order to recharge said batteries 1 1 8.

With reference to Figure 40, the cleaning tool 1 01 may comprise a bridge-shaped support means 148 extending over an intermediate portion of the cleaning head 104 and defining a seat wherein a lighting unit 149 is lodged having lighting means 145 and batteries 1 1 8; said lighting unit has a shape matching with the shape of said bridge-shaped support means 148, preferably a portion of a cylinder.

Said lighting unit 149 is further provided with elastic coupling

means 1 50, preferably comprising an arm elastically hinged at one end to an hinge 1 51 and provided with retaining means 1 52 cooperating with a corresponding recess of the inner superface of said bridged-shaped support means 148.

As shown in Figures 42, 43, the lighting unit 149 has one end provided with a removable cover 1 53 which can removed to make accessible a plug 1 54 for recharging the batteries 1 1 8.

Operation is as follows: the tool 101 , 1 28 is used as an usual broom, or a brush but in the dark areas such as recesses in the environment to be cleaned or in the shadow zones of the clothes pleats to be brushed, it allows, by activating the switch 1 24 or the photo sensor 1 25, the illumination of the surface to be cleaned highlighting the dirtiness by means of light beams 1 1 2 emitted by diffusers 1 09.

Moreover, light beams 1 1 2, together with the germicidal means 103, allows bristles 108 and support 1 30 to be disinfected.

In pratice, the materials, the dimensions and the details of execution may be different from those indicated, but technically equivalent to them, without departing from the legal domain of the present invention.

It is to be understood lat lighting means, although described only with reference to floor cleaning tools, may also be provided for in association with any manually operated cleaning tools, for example in cleaning tools according to Figures 1 to 20 of the present application.