Abstract:
A window support structure for supporting a window during a window cleaning process includes a ladder having a plurality of steps and at least two ladder bracket assemblies. The ladder bracket assemblies include a first bracket configured to removably engage a selected step of the plurality of steps of the ladder. The ladder bracket assemblies also include a mounting flange extending from the bracket beyond the selected step of the ladder to receive a base of a window thereon and arrange a top of the window to rest against the ladder. The ladder bracket assemblies may also include a lower bracket for supporting a trough such that, when a liquid is applied to the window during a window cleaning process, the trough may receive the liquid from the window.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/913,405 filed on Apr. 23, 2007, and entitled “Ladder Bracket System for Window Cleaning.” The contents of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to window cleaning systems and, more particularly, to an adaptable window cleaning system that can utilize a traditional A-frame stepladder or other structure as a support structure for the window cleaning system. 
         [0004]    Professional window cleaners often remove storm windows and other removable windows from a building in order to facilitate cleaning. The windows are often placed on the floor, leaned against a wall or piece of furniture, or supported by hand while being cleaned. To clean the window, a soap solution is applied to the window and then immediately removed with a squeegee. Hence, the used, and dirty, solution is caused to drip from the bottom of the window during the cleaning process. Accordingly, a rug, rags, or other floor covering is typically placed under the window to catch and absorb any runoff from the cleaning process. 
         [0005]    There are several problems with cleaning windows as described above. First, if the window cleaner doesn&#39;t protect the floor properly from the dirty solution, a considerable amount of discarded and dirty solution can collect around the cleaning area that can damage the floor or, at the very least, require cleaning of the surrounding area after the window-cleaning processes has been completed. Second, if a rug, rags, or other floor coverings are used by the window cleaner, these coverings quickly become saturated and require frequent replacement in order to contain and collect the discarded solutions. The process of collecting, replacing, and cleaning floor coverings results in additional time on the job and reduces productivity and profitability for the window cleaner. Third, placing the window on the floor requires the window cleaner to sit or kneel on the ground to clean the windowpane. Bending down to clean each window requires undue physical effort and, over time, presents a significant stress on the window cleaner&#39;s muscles and knees. Furthermore, when the window is resting on the floor, the window cleaner cannot finish the squeegee stroke using a downward motion because the squeegee handle will hit the floor before the rubber squeegee blade reaches the bottom of the windowpane. As such, a final sideways squeegee motion is needed to clean the bottom section of the windowpane. This takes additional time, which further reduces productivity and profitability. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, some have sought to develop stands and other window support systems. However, these dedicated stands and support systems are relatively expensive. Furthermore, while the stands or support systems may fold or otherwise collapse to some degree, they take up a large amount of space in the window cleaner&#39;s vehicle. Additionally, while some stands and other support systems include collection systems for receiving the dirty solution from the window, they can interfere with the cleaning process. That is, the collection systems are generally located at the base of the window and, in a manner similar to resting the window on the floor, can interfere with the downward stroke of the squeegee handle. In addition, due to repeated use and the weight of the windows resting on the collection system, over time the collection system can break which then requires replacement. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system and method for supporting a window during a window cleaning process that would be economically and work-flow efficient. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing an adaptable window cleaning system that can utilize a traditional A-frame stepladder or other structure as a support structure for the window cleaning system. 
         [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a window support structure for supporting a window during a window cleaning process is disclosed that includes a ladder having a plurality of steps and at least two ladder bracket assemblies. The ladder bracket assemblies include a first bracket configured to removably engage a selected step of the plurality of steps of the ladder. The ladder bracket assemblies also include a mounting flange extending from the bracket beyond the selected step of the ladder to receive a base of a window thereon and arrange a top of the window to rest against the ladder. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kit for retrofitting a ladder to create a window support structure is disclosed that includes at least two ladder bracket assemblies. The ladder bracket assemblies include a first bracket configured to removably engage a selected step of the ladder and a mounting flange extending from the bracket beyond the selected step of the ladder to support a window thereon for a window cleaning process. The ladder bracket assemblies also include a horizontal adjustment system configured to adjust a width of the ladder bracket assembly to match a width of the selected step and a vertical adjustment system configured to adjust a height of the ladder bracket assembly to match a height of the selected step. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a window support system for supporting a window on a ladder during a window cleaning process is disclosed that includes a bracket configured to removably engage a step of the ladder. The window support system also includes a mounting flange extending from the bracket beyond the step of the ladder to support a base of the window thereon and arrange a top of the window to rest against the ladder. 
         [0012]    Various other features of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a window support system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the window support system of  FIG. 1  including a ladder bracket assembly, trough, horizontal adjustment system, and a vertical adjustment system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the window support system of  FIGS. 1 and 2  attached to a stepladder step including the ladder bracket assembly, the horizontal adjustment system, and a vertical adjustment system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is side perspective view the ladder bracket assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, side perspective view of the ladder bracket assembly of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a window support structure  10  includes at least two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  that, as illustrated, as supported by a traditional A-frame ladder  16 . However, it is contemplated that the present invention is equally applicable for use with other ladders, such as extension ladders, multi-axis folding ladders, and the like. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the present invention may be integrated with other support structures having sufficient structural integrity to support a window and, as will be described below, which the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  are capable of engaging. The window support structure  10  also includes a trough  18  that, as will be described below, is designed to receive and collect used or dirty window cleaning solutions from a window  19  supported on the window support system  10 . That is a base  20  of the window  19  is supported on the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  such that a top  21  of the window  19  rests against the ladder  16 . 
         [0020]    To convert a traditional ladder  16  into an easel for cleaning windows, the two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  are placed on a common step  22  of the ladder  16 . A window cleaner may select any step  22  of the ladder  16  to attach the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14 . In this regard, the window cleaner can selectively position the window  19  at a height that is comfortable and ergonomic. Once a vertical position is selected, the window cleaner may arrange ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  on the selected step  22  at a separation distance as necessary to support the window  19 , up to the full width of the step  22 . However, the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  may be placed closer together on the step  22 , if necessary, to accommodate narrow window widths. 
         [0021]    As will be described below, it is contemplated that the trough  18  is supported by respective lower brackets  24  of the ladder bracket assembly that extend below respective upper brackets  26 , on which the window  19  is designed to rest. In accordance with one embodiment, it is contemplated that the trough  18  may be approximately four feet long; however, longer trough lengths are contemplated to accommodate larger sized windows or to provide a larger reservoir for collecting used or dirty cleaning solution. 
         [0022]    After all windows have been cleaned, the trough  18  is removed and, as will be described, the entire bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  can be easily removed from or repositioned on the ladder  16 . Accordingly, the window support structure  10  can be collapsed and stored in the same amount of space as a common ladder. Furthermore, since a window cleaner typically requires a ladder, as will be described, the window support structure  10  presents only a marginal amount of extra space and effort to use. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , one ladder bracket assembly  14  is shown. The ladder bracket assembly  14  includes a top horizontal adjustment bracket  28  that terminates in a mounting flange  30  that, as will be described, is configured to receive the base of the window  19  and arrange the window  19  to rest against the ladder  16 . Specifically, the horizontal adjustment bracket  28  includes an upper bracket portion  32 , a backstop  34  extending downward from the upper bracket portion  32 , and the mounting flange  30  extending away from the backstop  34 . The mounting flange  30  terminates with an upwards turned lip  31  to protect the window from accidentally slipping off the end of the mounting flange  30  during the cleaning process. 
         [0024]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an angle α is created between the backstop  34  and the mounting flange  30  that is slightly less than 90 degrees, for example, 70 to 80 degrees, to reduce the potential of the window slipping from the mounting flange  30  during the cleaning process and to tilt the window back to rest against the ladder  16 . Additionally, or alternatively, the mounting flange  30  may be coated with rubber or other substances to reduce the potential for slipping. Furthermore, an angle β is created between the upper bracket portion  32  and the backstop  34  that, in accordance with one configuration, may be approximately 90 degrees. However, in other configurations, it may be advantageous for angle β to be greater than 90 degrees, in which case the angle α may optionally approach 90 degrees. The mounting flange  30  is designed to have a sufficient length to rest one or more of the typical residential storm window or other removable window thereupon. Therefore, when a window is positioned upon the mounting flange  30 , the window can lean against the ladder  16  to engage the top of the window  19  against the upper front side of the ladder  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    Extending below the top horizontal adjustment brackets  28  are the lower brackets  24  that form a lower portion  36  of the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  designed to hold the trough  18  directly under the top horizontal adjustment bracket  28 . The vertical distance between the trough  18  to the bottom of the mounting flange  30  may be a few inches, for example about one to two inches, to allow the bottom of the window to be cleaned without interference from the trough  18 . That is, when a window that is to be cleaned is placed on the mounting flange  30 , the window is positioned over the trough  18 . Given the typical angle of the squeegee when cleaning the window glass, adequate space is provided below the bottom of the window for the window cleaner to finish the downward stroke without the window cleaner&#39;s hand or squeegee handle making contact with the trough  18 . The horizontal arrangement of the trough  18  in the lower portion  36  relative to the mounting flange  30  is designed to catch the water runoff from the window cleaning process. 
         [0026]    The window support structure  10  can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally. That is, as described above, the two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  can be engaged with any step on a ladder. Furthermore, as described above, the two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  can be arranged along any point on a given step. To facilitate engagement with a selected step of a selected ladder, the two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  are highly adjustable. 
         [0027]    A horizontal adjustment system  38  is formed at the connection between the top horizontal adjustment brackets  28  and the lower brackets  24 . The horizontal adjustment system  38  is formed by two side rails  29 ,  31  and a slot  42  formed in the upper bracket portion  32  that is designed to receive a bolt  44  extending upward from the upper portion  35  of the lower brackets  24 . The two side rails  29 ,  31  substantially increase the load bearing capacity of the top horizontal adjustment bracket  28  which supports the weight of the window(s) during the window cleaning process. Additionally, the two side rails  29 ,  31  act as a track to keep the lower brackets  24  aligned with the top horizontal adjustment bracket  28 . A nut  46 , for example a wing nut, is provided to engage the bolt  44 . While the present invention is described with respect to a nut-and-bolt fastening system, it is contemplated that a wide variety of systems and methods for securing two portions of the ladder bracket assembly  12 ,  14  may be utilized. 
         [0028]    The bolt  44  can be moved along the slot  42  to thereby adjust an area  48  provided to receive a ladder step. That is, the bolt  44  can be moved along the slot  42  to adjust the horizontal size of the area  48  to match the step size of a ladder with which the ladder bracket assembly  14  is to be engaged. The nut  46  is then used to secure the horizontal adjustment system  38  in the selected position. 
         [0029]    Similarly, a vertical adjustment system  40  is formed at the rear of the top horizontal adjustment bracket  28 , opposite the mounting flange  30 . The vertical adjustment system  40  is formed by a vertical adjustment flange  50  that extends down from the upper bracket portion  32 . The vertical adjustment flange  50  includes two side rails  51 ,  53  and a slot  52  that, like the slot  42  in the upper bracket portion  32 , is configured to receive a bolt  54  extending from a vertical adjustment clip  56 . The two side rails  51 ,  53  act as a track to keep the vertical adjustment clip  56  aligned with the vertical adjustment flange  50 . Another nut  58 , for example a wing nut, is provided to engage the bolt  54 . In this regard, the bolt  54  can be moved along the slot  52  and secured in a selected position by tightening the nut  58 . Hence, the vertical adjustment clip  56  can be moved to adjust the vertical size of the area  48  to match the step size of a ladder with which the ladder bracket assembly  14  is to be engaged. 
         [0030]    Once the horizontal and vertical adjustment systems  38 ,  40  have been used to size the two ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  for a particular ladder, to adjust the horizontal position of the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  or to disengage the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  from the ladder  16 , one only needs to loosen the wing nuts and reverse the installation process. Accordingly, the ladder bracket assemblies  12 ,  14  can quickly and easily be repositioned on or removed from a given ladder. Hence, the present invention can be quickly and easily setup, reconfigured, and stored. 
         [0031]    The present invention has been described according to its various aspects, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to a particular described form.