Apparatus for cleaning soldering iron bits

Abstract

Two cleaning bodies which rotate towards and in contact with each other, are utilized for quickly mechanically cleaning soldering iron bits or tips and the soldering iron bit or tip is inserted between the cleaning bodies. The rotary movement of the cleaning bodies originates via a drive or gear from a drive motor. A holder is mechanically connected with an actuating member of a switch for operating the drive motor. In the unloaded position of the holder, i.e. when the soldering iron is removed from the holder, the drive motor is switched-on. When the soldering iron bit or tip of the soldering iron is placed into the holder, the holder is loaded and now tilts backwards, causing the actuating member to actuate the switch for operating the drive motor. Thus, the current to the drive motor is turned off and the apparatus is placed out of service. On withdrawal of the soldering iron from the holder, the holder is load-relieved again, the actuating member tilts into the switched-on position and the cleaning bodies begin to rotate again.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.