Abstract:
A window blind cleaning system for cleaning the slats of vertical or horizontal blinds of varying heights, with a user selected cleaning material placed over the cleaning heads, which the user remotely actuates to close the cleaning surfaces onto the slats to be cleaned. The system includes a handle, an extension handle, handle mounted trigger, actuating link, backing plates with attached cleaning pads forming the cleaning heads. Resilient supporting arms urge the cleaning heads apart and the trigger operated actuating link urges the cleaning heads together about the slat. A resilient U-shaped restraining bar may be used to further urge the cleaning heads apart. The cleaning pads and covers over them are removably attached. The backing plates and cleaning pads are shaped to conform to the blind slats. The primary handle is formed from multiple sections. Assembled together, these sections form a single handle allowing the user greater cleaning reach.

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATION 
     The instant application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/637,626 filed Dec. 18, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to window blind cleaners and more specifically it relates to a window blind cleaning system with interchangeable cleaning heads for cleaning the slats of vertical or horizontal blinds of varying heights, with a user selected cleaning material placed over the cleaning heads which the user remotely actuates using minimal pressure to close the cleaning surfaces onto the slat surface to be cleaned. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It can be appreciated that window blind cleaners have been in use for years. Typically, window blind cleaners are comprised of devices resembling tongs with sponges attached to the ends. A horizontal window blind cleaner has a short handle with multiple brushes. Another product has an elongated handle and a cleaning surface positioned at a right angle to the handle and is meant for dusting ceiling fans. Yet another type of window blind cleaner has multiple brushes with a vacuum cleaner attachment. Still another system for cleaning vertical blinds allows the user to hang vertical blinds in a shower and run water on the blinds until they are clean. 
     The main problem with conventional window blind cleaners is that they do not allow the user versatility in the type of cleaning product to apply to the window blind slat surface. In addition, they do not allow users to easily reach and clean window blind slats at varying heights. Yet another problem is that existing products require the user to apply consistent full hand pressure to handles to close the devices for cleaning. Another problem with conventional window blind cleaners is limited control over the amount of pressure needed to close the cleaning surfaces together during the cleaning process. Further, with conventional blind cleaning systems, the blinds must often be removed from the window for cleaning. 
     Yet another problem is that existing products require the user to apply consistent full hand pressure to handles to close the devices for cleaning. Still another problem is that the user has no control over varying the type of cleaning provided by the cleaning heads, or, varying the type of cleaning head used. Also, another problem is limited control over the type of pressure needed to close the cleaning surfaces together during the cleaning process. 
     In these respects, the window blind cleaning system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing addresses all of the problems identified above. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,836, issued to Horne, discloses a ceiling fan blade cleaner including a flexible, flat tubular, textile sleeve of sufficient length to completely encase a fan blade from tip to root, a flat spring member to cause said sleeve to conform to the blade surfaces and a pair of metal plates to releasably engage the root end of said sleeve and to withdraw said sleeve in wiping engagement with the surfaces of said blade to remove dirt therefrom and to trap such dirt as it is removed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,147, issued to Chia-Yi, et al., is directed to a mopping device includes a first part and a second part pivotally connected to the first part from which a handle is pivotally disposed. Two connecting members and a torsion spring are respectively pivotally connected between the first and the second part so that the second part is foldable toward the first part. Each of the first part and the second part has at least one clamping member pivotally connected thereto such that a cleaning member is securely disposed to an underside of the first and the second part by being clamped by the two clamping members. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D328,373, issued to Murray, discloses an ornamental design for a ceiling fan duster 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a system for cleaning slats of vertical or horizontal blinds of varying heights. It is a further objective to provide a system that allows for use of varying cleaning materials that are removably attached to the cleaning heads of the system. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a system that will provide an efficient means to apply uniform pressure to the blind slats through a remote actuator. Finally, it is an objective to a system that can introduce cleaning fluids onto the system cleaning heads. 
     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art window blind cleaning systems inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     (1) A window blind cleaning system providing the desired features can be constructed from the following components. First and second backing plates are provided. Each of the backing plates has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces are sized and shaped to conform to a shape of a window blind. First and second cleaning pads are provided. The cleaning pads are sized and shaped to cover the inner surfaces. Means are provided for attaching the cleaning pads to the inner surfaces. 
     First and second support arms are provided. Each of the support arms has an upper end, a lower end and is formed of resilient material. Each of the support arms is pivotally mounted to one of the outer surfaces of the backing plates at the upper end and fixedly attached adjacent a first end of a handle at the lower end. First and second toggle links are provided. The toggle links have inner and outer ends, are pivotally attached at their outer ends to the first and second support arms, respectively, between their upper and lower ends. The toggle links are pivotally attached at their inner ends to a first end of an actuating link. The actuating link is located substantially parallel to the handle and connecting at a second end to a trigger. The trigger is pivotally attached adjacent a second end of the handle. 
     The trigger moves the actuating link from an extended position, allowing the support arms to separate the backing plates, to a retracted position, closing the backing plates with attached cleaning pads about the window blind against outward urging of the support arms. When the trigger moves the actuating link to the retracted position the first and second cleaning pads will be clamped on either side of the window blind and are movable along a length of the blind for cleaning. When the trigger moves the actuating link to the extended position, the support arms will separate the backing plates and the cleaning pads from the blind for removal from the blind slat. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, the inner surface of the first backing plate is concave and the inner surface of the second backing plate is convex. 
     (3) In another variant, the backing plates are substantially rectangular in shape. 
     (4) In still another variant, the backing plates are substantially circular in shape and are rotatably mounted to the support arms. 
     (5) In a further variant, the cleaning pads are removably attached to the inner surfaces using means selected from the group consisting of: 
     adhesive, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, snap-on brackets and clamps. 
     (6) In still a further variant, a plurality of attachment slots are located on the outer surface of the backing plates for attaching a cleaning cloth over the cleaning pads. 
     (7) In another variant of the invention, the cleaning pads are sponge-like air-filled members. 
     (8) In still another variant, the handle is comprised of at least two sections that are removably joined together to provide a compact system capable of extended reach. 
     (9) In a further variant, the handle includes at least two telescoping sections that extend to vary a length of the handle. 
     (10) In still a further variant, the second end of the handle is adapted to fit a handle extension to further extend a reach of the system. 
     (11) In another variant of the invention, the trigger includes a cam-locking mechanism. The mechanism maintains the actuating link in the retracted position against the outward urging of the support arms. 
     (12) In still another variant, the trigger is a pivoting lever attached adjacent the second end of the handle. 
     (13) In a further variant, the trigger is a sliding sleeve disposed about the handle adjacent the second end of the handle. 
     (14) In still a further variant, the actuating link is disposed adjacent an outer surface of the handle. 
     (15) In another variant of the invention, the actuating link is located within a hollow core of the handle. 
     (16) In still another variant, the window blind cleaning system includes a U-shaped restraining bar. The restraining bar is formed of resilient material, extending from the outer surface of the first backing plate to the outer surface of the second backing plate and further urging the backing plates apart. 
     (17) In a further variant, the backing plates with attached cleaning pads are removably attached to the support arms. 
     (18) In still a further variant, the window blind cleaning system further includes a container. The container holds a cleaning fluid and is secured to the handle. A tube extends from the container to at least one of the cleaning pads. When the bottle is tilted or squeezed, a quantity of cleaning fluid is dispensed onto the cleaning pad. 
     (19) In a final variant of the invention, a window blind cleaning system includes first and second backing plates. Each of the backing plates has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces are sized and shaped to conform to a shape of a window blind. First and second cleaning pads are provided. The cleaning pads are sized and shaped to cover the inner surfaces. Means are provided for attaching the cleaning pads to the inner surfaces. First and second support arms are provided. Each of the support arms has an upper end, a lower end, is formed of resilient material, is pivotally mounted to one of the outer surfaces at the upper end and fixedly attached adjacent a first end of a handle at the lower end. 
     The first support arm holds the first backing plate with attached cleaning pad in a fixed position. The second support arm further includes a pivot point. The pivot point is located outwardly from a centerline of the handle. An actuating arm is provided. The arm has a top end, a bottom end, a point of rotation. The arm is pivotally mounted to the second support arm at the pivot point, bearing against the outer surface of the second backing plate at the top end and attached to a first end of an actuating link at the bottom end. The actuating link is located substantially parallel to the handle and connects at a second end to a trigger. The trigger is pivotally attached adjacent a second end of the handle. The trigger moves the actuating link from an extended position, allowing the second support arm to withdraw the second backing plate from close proximity to the first backing plate, to a retracted position. 
     In the retracted position the actuating link urges the second backing plate toward the first backing plate and closes the backing plates with attached cleaning pads about the window blind against outward urging of the second support arm. When the trigger moves the actuating link to the retracted position the first and second cleaning pads will be clamped on either side of the window blind and are movable along a length of the blind for cleaning. When the trigger moves the actuating link to the extended position, the support arms will separate the backing plates and the cleaning pads from the blind for removal from the blind slat. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of the present invention showing the major components fully assembled; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment: 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed partial top view of the  FIG. 1B  embodiment showing the cleaning apparatus head; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed partial side view of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment showing the cleaning head apparatus; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates the cleaning heads of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment in the open positions; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the cleaning heads of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment illustrating the upper portion of the handle sections; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment illustrating the middle portion of the handle sections; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top view of the  FIG. 1A  embodiment illustrating the lower portion of the handle sections; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating an extension handle; 
         FIG. 7A  is is a top view of the present invention made with circular backing plates and cleaning pads; 
         FIG. 7B  is is a side view of the present invention made with circular backing plates and cleaning pads; 
         FIG. 8A  is a top view of the present invention made with a solid handle; 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of the present invention made with a a telescoping handle; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention made with a single side closing backing plate; 
         FIG. 9B  is side view of the  FIG. 9A  embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the present invention with a sliding trigger to close the cleaning heads. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (1)  FIGS. 1A-8B  illustrate a window blind cleaning system  10  providing the desired features that can be constructed from the following components. First  14  and second  18  backing plates are provided. Each of the backing plates  14 ,  18  has an inner surface  22  and an outer surface  26 . The inner surfaces  22  are sized and shaped to conform to a shape of a window blind (not shown). First  30  and second  34  cleaning pads are provided. The cleaning pads  30 , 34  are sized and shaped to cover the inner surfaces  22 . Means (not shown) are provided for attaching the cleaning pads  30 ,  34  to the inner surfaces  22 . 
     First  38  and second  42  support arms are provided. Each of the support arms  38 , 42  has an upper end  46 , a lower end  50  and is formed of resilient material. Each of the support arms  38 ,  42  is pivotally mounted to one of the outer surfaces  26  of the backing plates  14 ,  18  at the upper end  46  and fixedly attached adjacent a first end  54  of a handle  58  at the lower end  50 . First  62  and second  66  toggle links are provided. The toggle links  62 ,  66  have inner  70  and outer  74  ends, are pivotally attached at their outer ends  74  to the first  38  and second  42  support arms, respectively, between their upper  46  and lower  50  ends. The toggle links  62 ,  66  are pivotally attached at their inner ends  70  to a first end  78  of an actuating link  82 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the actuating link  82  is located substantially parallel to the handle  58  and connecting at a second end  86  to a trigger  90 . 
     The trigger  90  is pivotally attached adjacent a second end  94  of the handle  58 . The trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  from an extended position  98 , allowing the support arms  38 ,  42  to separate the backing plates  14 ,  18 , to a retracted position  102 , closing the backing plates  14 ,  18  with attached cleaning pads  30 ,  34  about the window blind against outward urging of the support arms  38 ,  42 . When the trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  to the retracted position  102  the first  30  and second  34  cleaning pads will be clamped on either side of the window blind and are movable along a length of the blind for cleaning. When the trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  to the extended position  98 , the support arms  38 ,  42  will separate the backing plates  14 ,  18  and the cleaning pads  30 ,  34  from the blind for removal from the blind slat. 
     (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 2 , the inner surface  22  of the first backing plate  14  is concave and the inner surface  22  of the second backing plate  18  is convex. 
     (3) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A , and  9 A, the backing plates  14 ,  18  are substantially rectangular in shape. 
     (4) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the backing plates  14 ,  18  are substantially circular in shape and are rotatably mounted to the support arms  38 ,  42 . 
     (5) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,- 4 A, 4 B,  7 A,  7 B,  9 A and  9 B, the cleaning pads  30 ,  34  are removably attached to the inner surfaces  22  using means selected from the group consisting of: adhesive, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, snap-on brackets and clamps (all not shown). 
     (6) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,- 4 A,  4 B,  7 A,  7 B,  9 A and  9 B, a plurality of attachment slots  106  are located on the outer surface  26  of the backing plates  14 ,  18  for attaching a cleaning cloth  110  over the cleaning pads  30 ,  34 . 
     (7) In another variant of the invention, the cleaning pads  30 ,  34  are sponge-like air-filled members. 
     (8) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  6 - 7 A,  7 B,  8 B and  9 A and  9 B, the handle  58  is comprised of at least two sections  114  that are removably joined together to provide a compact system  10  capable of extended reach. 
     (9) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the handle  58  includes at least two telescoping sections  118  that extend to vary a length of the handle  58 . 
     (10) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the second end  94  of the handle  58  is adapted to fit a handle extension  122  to further extend a reach of the system  10 . 
     (11) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.  1 A,[-] 7 A,  8 A and  9 A, the trigger  90  includes a cam-locking mechanism  126 . The mechanism  126  maintains the actuating link  82  in the retracted position  102  against the outward urging of the support arms  38 ,  42 . 
     (12) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, [-] 7 A,  7 B,  8 A and  9 A and  9 B, the trigger  90  is a pivoting lever  130  attached adjacent the second end  94  of the handle  58 . 
     (13) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the trigger  90  is a sliding sleeve  134  disposed about the handle  58  adjacent the second end  94  of the handle. 
     (14) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,- 4 A,  4 B,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A,  9 A and  9 B and  10 , the actuating link  82  is disposed adjacent an outer surface  138  of the handle  58 . 
     (15) In anoiher variant of the invention, the actuating link  82  is located within a hollow core (not shown) of the handle  58 . 
     (16) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the window blind cleaning system  10  includes a U-shaped restraining bar  146 . The restraining bar  146  is formed of resilient material, extending from the outer surface  26  of the first backing plate  14  to the outer surface  26  of the second backing plate  18  and further urging the backing plates  14 ,  18  apart. 
     (17) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, 2 ,  3 ,- 4 A,  4 B,  7 A,  7 B and  9 A and  9 B, the backing plates  14 ,  18  with attached cleaning pads  30 ,  34  are removably attached to the support arms  38 ,  42 . 
     (18) In still a further variant, the window blind cleaning system  10  further includes a container (not shown). The container holds a cleaning fluid and is secured to the handle  58 . A tube (not shown) extends from the container to at least one of the cleaning pads  30 ,  34 . When the bottle is tilted or squeezed, a quantity of cleaning fluid is dispensed onto the cleaning pad  30 ,  34 . 
     (19) In a final variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a window blind cleaning system  10  includes first  14  and second  18  backing plates. Each of the backing plates  14 ,  18  has an inner surface  22  and an outer surface  26 . The inner surfaces  22  are sized and shaped to conform to a shape of a window blind (not shown). First  30  and second  34  cleaning pads are provided. The cleaning pads  30 ,  34  are sized and shaped to cover the inner surfaces  22 . Means (not shown) are provided for attaching the cleaning pads  30 ,  34  to the inner surfaces  22 . First  38  and second  42  support arms are provided. Each of the support arms  38 ,  42  has an upper end  46 , a lower end  50 , is formed of resilient material, is pivotally mounted to one of the outer surfaces  26  at the upper end  46  and fixedly attached adjacent a first end  54  of a handle  58  at the lower end  50 . 
     The first support arm  38  holds the first backing plate  14  with attached cleaning pad  30  in a fixed position. The second support arm  42  further includes a pivot point  150 . The pivot point  150  is located outwardly from a centerline  154  of the handle  58 . An actuating arm  158  is provided. The arm  158  has a top end  162 , a bottom end  166  and a point of rotation  170 . The arm  158  is pivotally mounted to the second support arm  42  at the pivot point  150 , bearing against the outer surface  26  of the second backing plate  18  at the top end  162  and attached to a first end  174  of an actuating link  82  at the bottom end  166 . The actuating link  82  is located substantially parallel to the handle  58  and connects at a second end  86  to a trigger  90 . The trigger  90  is pivotally attached adjacent a second end  94  of the handle  58 . The trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  from an extended position  98 , allowing the second support arm  42  to withdraw the second backing plate  18  from close proximity to the first backing plate  14 , to a retracted position  102 . 
     In the retracted position  102  the actuating link  82  urges the second backing plate  18  toward the first backing plate  14  and closes the backing plates  14 ,  18  with attached cleaning pads  30 , 34  about the window blind ( not shown) against outward urging of the second support arm  42 . When the trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  to the retracted position  102  the first  30  and second  34  cleaning pads will be clamped on either side of the window blind and are movable along a length of the blind for cleaning. When the trigger  90  moves the actuating link  82  to the extended position  98 , the support arms  38 ,  42  will separate the backing plates  14 ,  18  and the cleaning pads  30 , 34  from the blind for removal from the blind slat.