Abstract:
There is provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention a maintenance device for snaps or fasteners having a housing and a dynamic body that is slidably engaged within said housing. Attached to the dynamic body is a pair of cleaning arms. A spring positioned between the body and the housing biases the body and arms to a relaxed and extended position. When the body is pressed against and engages a fastener, the body moves to a retracted position within the housing causing the cleaning arms pivot and engage the fastener. With the cleaning arms engaged, a twisting movement of the housing removes corrosion, dirt and debris from the fastener. The device further includes a refillable lubrication reservoir and channel which serves to lubricate the fastener while it is cleaned.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a maintenance device used in the preservation of fasteners. More specifically, this invention involves a device for lubricating and cleaning fasteners. Even more particularly, this invention covers a device used in the context of boat maintenance which is adapted to lubricate and clean snaps that attach tarps or canvas covers to boats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Exposed surfaces of boats are vulnerable to corrosion and weather damage because of their proximity to water, humidity and corrosive salts. Fasteners or snaps on a boat are especially vulnerable to corrosion and dirt and salt build-up because they are usually formed of metal and incorporate semi-confined areas where moisture, dirt and salt can collect. Such fasteners are commonly used to attach canvas tarps for covering a boat when docked. When the fasteners corrode, they become less effective and may fail to properly secure a tarp. Additionally, corroded and discolored fasteners are unsightly and detract from the aesthetic appeal of the boat. 
     Existing techniques for maintaining the fasteners of a boat may include employing a rag and cleaning chemicals to remove corrosion and salt from the fastener. However, using harsh chemicals to maintain and clean a fastener may cause damage to the surrounding surfaces of the boat. Alternatively, boaters may use a hard tool, such as a brush with metallic bristles or a small flat edge on a screwdriver, to scrape away corrosion. However, utilizing a tool with a metallic end may likewise cause damage to the surface of the boat or the fastener intended to be cleaned. 
     Another maintenance technique may incorporate the application of a grease-type lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, directly to a fastener with a swab or other applicator in order to protect the fastener from corrosion. However, these types of lubricants are often messy and difficult to work with, making it particularly difficult to apply just enough lubrication to the fastener without applying an excess amount. Petroleum jelly also tends to run and ooze when exposed to the sun for a long period of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a maintenance device for a fastener that removes corrosion and dirt and applies lubrication to fasteners to preserve the fastener for an extended period of time. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a maintenance device is sized and adapted to clean and lubricate standard tarp fasteners. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a maintenance device that is adapted to clean and lubricate both male and female ends of a fastener. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a maintenance device with a self-contained lubrication system that applies an appropriate amount of lubricant to a fastener. 
     Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows. 
     In summary, provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a maintenance device having a housing and a dynamic body that is slidably engaged within said housing. Attached to the slidable body is a pair of cleaning arms that comprise an abrasive material. A spring positioned between the body and the housing biases the body and arms to a relaxed and extended position. When the body is pressed against and engages a male portion of the fastener, the body moves to a retracted position within the housing. As the body retracts, each of the cleaning arms pivot and engage the side wall of the male connector. With the abrasive surface of the cleaning arm engaging to the outer wall of the male-end connector, a twisting movement of the housing removes corrosion, dirt and debris from the male portion of the fastener. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the maintenance device further includes a second pair of cleaning arms for cleaning the female portion of the fastener. The female cleaning arms are positioned at the top portion of the housing, opposite the male cleaning arms which are positioned at the bottom portion of the housing. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a lubrication system comprising a lubrication reservoir and a lubrication channel.  The lubrication channel supplies lubricant from the reservoir to each of the cleaning arms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings of which, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional fastener attached a boat hull and tarp cover; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section view thereof taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the maintenance device of the present invention being used on a male portion of the fastener shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  of the maintenance device with the slidable body in a retracted position, cleaning and lubricating the male portion of the fastener; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  of the lubricant reservoir and channel applying lubrication to a cleaning arm; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the maintenance device being used on a female portion of the fastener; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of the maintenance device engaging the female portion of the fastener; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of the lubricant reservoir receiving lubricant from an injector, and the slidable body in a non-engaged position relative to the housing; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the maintenance device attached to the hand of a user; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention without a lubricant reservoir. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  a conventional snap or fastener F having a male connector portion MC and a female connector portion FC. The fastener F is used to secure a tarp, canvas or other suitable (e.g., waterproof or weatherproof) cover to a boat hull. The conventional fastener F includes a screw S fixed to the male connector portion MC. Typically, the screw S, along with the male connector portion MC to which it is attached, is driven into the boat hull, at an edge thereof. This forms one half of the fastener F. The other half of the fastener F is formed with the female connector portion FC, which includes two parts—an upper section and a lower section—which sandwich the cover therebetween. Together, the male connector portion MC and female connector portion FC fasten and secure the cover to the boat. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 through 9 , there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the maintenance device  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates the maintenance device  10  engaging and cleaning a male connector portion MC of a fastener F. The maintenance device  10  comprises a housing  11  having an upper, domed section  12  that culminates in a generally planar bottom section  13 . At its lower extremity, the domed section  12  incorporates a knurled or textured surface  14  around its outer perimeter  15 . The textured surface  14  allows a user to grip the maintenance device  10  and to manipulate and twist the maintenance device  10  as part of the cleaning and lubrication process. An annular region  16  in the housing  11  is defined by the outer perimeter  15  and a concentric ring  17 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  9 , the maintenance device  10  preferably incorporates an aperture  18  in the housing  11  and a lanyard or cord  19  so that the maintenance device  10  it does not unintentionally fall into the water. It should be understood that other appropriate means to secure the maintenance device to a user or a boat may be utilized as well. Likewise, it should be understood that that the cord should be of sufficient length to allow the device to be secured to a user when the device is in use. 
     A cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the maintenance device  10  in the process of cleaning and lubricating a male connector portion MC of a fastener F is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The maintenance device  10  includes a male cleaning and lubricating mechanism  20  adapted to clean and lubricate a male connector portion MC of a fastener F. The male cleaning mechanism  20  is centrally positioned at the planar bottom section  13  of the housing  11 . Primary components of the male cleaning mechanism  20  are a dynamic body  22  that is slidably engaged within the housing  11  and a pair of cleaning arms  30 ,  30  that serve to clean and lubricate a male connector portion MC of a fastener F. 
     Male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  are hingedly attached to the dynamic body  22 . Male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  preferably include an abrasive or otherwise harsh material  32  to effectively clean a fastener having dirt or salt thereon. However, it should be understood that less harsh materials, such as terrycloth, may be utilized as well. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates a maintenance device having two male cleaning arms, it should be understood that one male cleaning arm or more than two male cleaning arms may be utilized while still keeping within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     When the male cleaning mechanism  20  of the maintenance device  10  is in a relaxed and extended position, a spring  34  biases the dynamic body  22  to an extended position relative to the housing. The spring  34  is positioned in a cavity  36  formed between the interior base  24  of the dynamic body  22  and the housing ceiling  28 , causing the dynamic body  22  to extend downward unless an opposing force is applied. Likewise, when the male cleaning mechanism  20  of the maintenance device  10  is in a relaxed and extended position, tension elements  40 ,  40  face downward, thereby causing male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  to flare outward, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     During use of the male cleaning mechanism  20 , the exterior surface  26  of the dynamic body  22  is pressed against the top of the male connector portion MC, causing the dynamic body  22  to retract into the housing  11  by compressing the spring  34 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , as the dynamic body  22  retracts, cleaning arms  30 ,  30  are progressively forced by the housing lip  29  to pivot inward toward a cleaning position from a flared position until the arms  30 ,  30  are moved into a substantially downwardly aligned position. Thus, retracting motion of the dynamic body  22  combined with the housing lip  29  urges the arms  30 ,  30  inward toward a cleaning position. When the male cleaning mechanism  20  of the maintenance device  10  is in use, tension elements  40 ,  40  are flexed laterally outward to a modest degree. 
     When the male cleaning mechanism  20  of maintenance device  10  is in use, the arms  30 ,  30  bear against the exterior of the male connector portion MC. As the maintenance device  10  is twisted, the abrasive surface  32  of the arms  30 , clean corrosion and other unwanted build-up from male connector wall. Thereafter, upon disengagement of the dynamic body  22  from the top of the male connector portion MC, the spring  34  forces dynamic body  22  back to its relaxed and extended position. Upon disengagement, tension elements  40 ,  40  resume a downward orientation, thereby causing male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  to again assume a flared position. 
     The sliding motion of the dynamic body  22  relative to the housing  11  is limited by a stopper  42  attached to the dynamic body  22 . The stopper  42  is able to travel the length of a small stopper channel  44 , thereby limiting the distance that the body  22  can extend and retract relative to the housing  11 . In a preferred embodiment, the channel  44  spans about ¼-¾ of an inch. When the male cleaning mechanism  20  is in an extended position, the stopper  42  is positioned at the bottom of stopper channel  44 . As the male cleaning mechanism  20  engages a male connector MC and the dynamic body  32  retracts into housing  11 , stopper  42  moves towards the top of stopper channel  44 . Upon reaching the top of stopper channel  44 , further movement of the stopper  42  is prohibited. Since stopper  42  is fixed to dynamic body  22 , the movement of dynamic body  22  is prohibited as well. During disengagement of the dynamic body  22  and the expansion of spring  24 , stopper  42  travels and ultimately rests at the bottom of stopper channel  44 . 
     A perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the maintenance device  10  in the process of cleaning a female connector portion FC of a fastener connected to a cover is shown in  FIG. 6 , and a cross-section view thereof is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The maintenance device  10  includes a female cleaning mechanism  50  adapted to clean a female connector portion FC of a fastener F. The female cleaning mechanism  50  is centrally positioned at the upper domed section  12  of the housing  11 . The concentric ring  17  defines a depression  52  within which the female cleaning mechanism is positioned. Primary components of the male cleaning mechanism  20  are a dynamic body  22  that is slidably engaged within the housing  11  and a pair of cleaning arms  30 ,  30  that serve to clean and lubricate a male connector portion MC of a fastener F. 
     Female cleaning arms  60 ,  60  are hingedly attached to the housing  11  at the base of the depression  52 . Female cleaning arms preferably include an abrasive or otherwise harsh material  62  to effectively clean a fastener having dirt or salt thereon. However, it should be understood that less harsh materials, such as terrycloth, may be utilized as well. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates a maintenance device having two female cleaning arms, it should be understood that one male cleaning arm or more than two female cleaning arms may be utilized while still keeping within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The female cleaning arms  60 ,  60  of the female cleaning mechanism  50  are vertically oriented and biased outward with tension elements  70 . Thus, while the male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  are intended to flare outward only when the male cleaning mechanism  20  is in a relaxed position, the female arms  60 ,  60  are biased outward at all times. While the female arms  60 ,  60  are biased outwards, the tension elements  70  and depression wall  54  prevent the female cleaning arms  60 ,  60  from becoming fully extended. 
     Upon engagement with a female connector portion FC, female cleaning arms  60 ,  60  are forced slightly inward, thereby applying increased outward pressure to the female connector portion with abrasive surface  62 . Similar to the contact between the abrasive surface  32  of the male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  with the male connector portion MC, the pressure contact between the abrasive surface  62  of the female cleaning arms  60 ,  60  allows a user to repeatedly twist the maintenance device  10  clockwise and/or counterclockwise to clean the female connector FC. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the maintenance device  10  further includes a flexible lubrication reservoir  80  which supplies lubricant that is spread by the male cleaning arms  30 ,  30  and the abrasive surface  32 . The lubrication reservoir  80  supplies lubricant via output channel  82 . Outbound flow of lubricant from the reservoir to male connector portion MC and/or the arms  30 ,  30  is controlled and restricted by reservoir output valve  84 . When the dynamic body  22  presses against the reservoir  80 , it forces flexible valve  84  to open, allowing lubricant to flow into the lubrication channel  82 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lubrication reservoir  80  is adapted to receive additional lubricant from a lubricant injector  86 . The lubricant injector  86  is fitted with an input channel  87 , which passes through housing  11  and provides lubricant to lubrication reservoir  80  via an input valve  88  which is adapted to prevent backflow of lubricant. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is identical to the first preferred embodiment discussed above, except that it does not include a lubrication reservoir and other lubrication elements associated with the ability of the maintenance device to lubricate a fastener. 
     In a further alternate embodiment of the maintenance device, the housing comprises one or more hollow regions having a sufficient volume to keep the maintenance device fully or at least partially afloat in the event it falls into the water. In such an embodiment, the hollow region is positioned beneath the domed portion of the housing in the annular region positioned between the perimeter and concentric ring defining the interior depression. 
     The accompanying drawings only illustrate several embodiments of a maintenance device for a snap or fastener and its respective constituent parts, however, other types and styles are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiments and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.