Articulated swab

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An applicator swab in accordance with the present invention generally includes elongate support member and a swab mounted on at least one end of the elongate support member with means for adjustably disposing the swab at an angle to a center portion of the elongate support member.
Particularly, means may be provided for changing the diameter of the swab.
This feature is important in adjusting the swab diameter to facilitate its use by persons having different sized auricles.
The elongate support member generally includes a tube and the means for adjustably disposing the swab comprises accordion-like folds in the tube between the swab and the center portion of the tube.
In addition, the means for changing the diameter of the swab includes expandable accordion-like folds in the tube beneath the swab with the extension and collapsing of the folds causing a concomitant change in diameter of the swab.
Importantly, the accordion-like folds disposed beneath the swab and between the swab and the center portion of the tube are collapsible from the expanded state, thus limiting the amount of pressure that can be exerted by the swab through the forcing of the swab against an object with the elongate support member.
Various degrees of force and means for causing collapse of the accordion-like folds between the swab and the tube center portion before collapse of the accordion-like folds beneath the swab itself include adhesive means for bonding the swab to the accordion-like folds therebeneath.