# US 10,766,465 B2 · Wheel and lug nut cleaning device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,465 B2 - Document ID: US10766465B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/035,546 - Filed: 2018-07-13 - Published: 2018-11-22 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-05 - Assignees: Black Tie Brands, LLC - Applicants: Black Tie Brands, LLC - Inventors: Scott Voelker; Jonathan Batchelor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766465B2 ## CPC - B60S 3/042: {Wheel cleaning devices (integral with vehicle B60S1/00)} - A46B 5/00: Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware - A46D 1/006: {Antimicrobial, disinfectant bristles, handle, bristle-carrier or packaging} - B08B 1/12: Brushes - B08B 1/143: {Wipes} - B08B 9/00: Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto - A46B 2200/3046: Brushes for cleaning cars or parts thereof - A46B 2200/3073: Brush for cleaning specific unusual places not otherwise covered, e.g. gutters, golf clubs, tops of tin cans, corners - B60S 3/041: {specially adapted for two-wheeled vehicles} - B60S 3/045: {Other hand-held cleaning arrangements, e.g. with sponges, brushes, scrapers or the like (brushes per se A46B)} - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - A46D: MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract A wheel and lug nut cleaning device that includes a static central spine defining a front portion and a rear portion, a shape-retaining core encircling the front and rear portions, and a sheath removably coupled to and encircling the core spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine, wherein the sheath has a plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges continuously spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine and each extending in a direction outwardly away from an outer surface of the sheath and the core and having a rounded external end, wherein the spine, core and sheath are operably configured to bend in a position to dispose and orient the front portion in a shape-retaining angle relative to the rear portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wheel and lug nut cleaning device comprising: a static central spine having a distal end, a proximal end opposing the distal end, defining a front portion including the distal end of the static central spine, and defining a rear portion including the proximal end; a shape-retaining core encircling the front and rear portions of the static central spine and of a non-water absorbent material; and a sheath removably coupled to and encircling the core spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine, the sheath having a plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges continuously spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine and each extending in a direction outwardly away from an outer surface of the sheath and the core and having a rounded external end, wherein the spine, core and sheath are operably configured to bend in a position to dispose and orient the front portion in a shape-retaining angle relative to the rear portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath further comprises: a proximal opening and enclosed pocket defined by thereon, the proximal opening and enclosed pocket spatially coupled to one another and shaped and sized to receive the shape-retaining core and spine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges are disposed in a tightly spaced configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges of semi obround shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath further comprises: a tip disposed at a terminal end, wherein the plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges continuously span from the rear portion of the static central spine to the tip of the sheath. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: the sheath is gradually tapered to the tip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising: a lug nut and rim cavity-cleaning body removably coupled to the rear portion of the spine, the lug nut and rim cavity-cleaning body having a central base having a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges radially disposed on the central base and a gap disposed between each of the cleaning flanges, each of the cleaning flanges having an internal side attached to the central base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 7, further comprising: a cover with a plurality of extensions each having sidewalls defining channels with one of the plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges disposed therein, the sidewalls configured to engage and conform to the one of the plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein: the central base is substantially disc-shaped and includes a proximal attachment end removably coupled to the proximal end of the rear portion of the spine through a male-female attachment configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 9, further comprising: a receiver aperture defined on the proximal end of the rear portion of the spine, wherein a male member, including the proximal attachment end, protruding from a bottom surface of the central base is disposed within the receiver aperture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein: the shape-retaining angle relative to the rear portion ranges from approximately 10 degrees to 45 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges are disposed in a tightly spaced configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein: each of the plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges of semi obround shape. ### Claim 14 A wheel and lug nut cleaning device comprising: a static central spine having a distal end, a proximal end opposing the distal end, defining a front portion including the distal end of the static central spine, and defining a rear portion including the proximal end; a shape-retaining core encircling the front and rear portions of the static central spine; a sheath removably coupled to and encircling the core spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine, the sheath having a plurality of spaced-part microfiber flanges continuously spanning from the rear portion of the static central spine to the distal end of the static central spine and each extending in a direction outwardly away from an outer surface of the sheath and the core and having a rounded external end, wherein the spine, core and sheath are operably configured to bend in a position to dispose and orient the front portion in a shape-retaining angle relative to the rear portion; and a lug nut and rim cavity-cleaning body with a proximal attachment end removably coupled to the proximal end of the rear portion of the spine, the lug nut and rim cavity-cleaning body having a central base having a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges radially disposed on the central base and a gap disposed between each of the cleaning flanges, each of the cleaning flanges having an internal side attached to the central base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 14, wherein: the shape-retaining core is of a non-water absorbent material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 14, further comprising: a cover with a plurality of extensions each having sidewalls defining channels with one of the plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges disposed therein, the sidewalls configured to engage and conform to the one of the plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallelpiped flexible cleaning flanges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein: the central base is substantially disc-shaped and includes the proximal attachment end removably coupled to the proximal end of the rear portion of the spine through a male-female attachment configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The wheel and lug nut cleaning device according to claim 17, further comprising: a receiver aperture defined on the proximal end of the rear portion of the spine, wherein a male member, including the proximal attachment end, protruding from a bottom surface of the central base is disposed within the receiver aperture.