Hands-free Pot Scrubber

Abstract

A portable hands-free device for cleaning a surface includes a motor, an assembly that includes scrub brushes mechanically coupled to the motor, a hinged portion coupled to the assembly by a hinge, and a scrub brush coupled to the hinged portion.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A hands-free portable device for cleaning a surface, the device comprising:
 one or more motors;   an assembly comprising one or more first scrub brushes, each first scrub brush rotationally coupled to one or more of said motors,   a hinged portion coupled to said assembly by one or more hinges,   at least one second scrub brush rotationally coupled to said hinged portion,   wherein motion from said motors is rotationally transferred to said first scrub brushes, said transferred motion causing said device to be self-propelled on said surface.   
     
     
         12 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 11 , further comprising a spring attached to said hinged portion and said assembly, wherein said spring forces said hinged portion away from said assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 12 , wherein said spring forces said second scrub brush against a sidewall of a cooking utensil, thus forcing a first scrub brush against an opposing section of said sidewall causing said device to be self-propelled on said surface. 
     
     
         14 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 11 , further comprising a ratchet mechanism, wherein said ratchet mechanism locks said hinged portion in a releasable position away from said assembly. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 11 , said at least one second scrub brush mechanically coupled to at least one of said motors. 
     
     
         22 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 14 , further comprising a release mechanism that allows a user to release the ratchet mechanism from its locked position. 
     
     
         23 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 11 , wherein said surface is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         24 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more motors are substantially enclosed by a housing. 
     
     
         25 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 24 , wherein said housing does not engage said surface when said device is positioned upon said surface and not held by a user. 
     
     
         26 . The hands-free portable device of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said scrub brushes is disposed so that a side of said at least one scrub brush extends in a horizontal direction beyond said housing.