Patent ID: 6625840
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
A generally T-shaped squeegee apparatus having an easily-replaceable wiper blade member, the squeegee apparatus comprising:a) a unitary, substantially T-shaped body comprising a longitudinally elongated hollow tube member terminating in opposite, open, longitudinal terminal ends and having an integrally-formed, permanent elongated handgrip handle member projecting substantially perpendicularly from the tube member intermediate said opposite terminal ends, the elongated hand grip handle member terminating in an outer, free terminal end, b) the tube member also having a longitudinally extending axial slot along its entire length between said opposite, open terminal longitudinal ends, the slot forming an elongated slot opening through the tube wall defined between a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending confronting slot edges, each said confronting slot edge having a corresponding, longitudinally extending, confronting slot-rigidifying flange member extending along its length and projecting inwardly into the hollow interior of the tube member, the separate, spaced-apart confronting flange members forming, together with said confronting slot edges and said slot opening, an elongated open channel communicating said slot openings with the hollow interior of the tube member along the entire length of the tube member, c) a longitudinally elongated squeegee wiper blade member comprising a first, longitudinal, flexible wiper blade edge portion and a second, longitudinal, generally rigid securement portion, said second securement portion configured for removable reception within said slot in said tube member, and d) flange tensioning means associated with each said opposite terminal end of the tube member for frictionally interengaging the corresponding longitudinal end portions of said spaced apart, confronting flange members and tensioning the confronting flange members and said corresponding confronting slot edges toward each other into tensioned, substantially clamping engagement with said securement portion of the wiper blade member extending into the hollow interior of the tube member to secure said securement portion in substantially clamped condition on the tube member for squeegeeing operation and for permitting release and removal of the wiper blade member from the tube member under a predetermined, removal pulling force applied to the wiper blade member.