Abstract:
A cleaning device for spherical-shaped covers for light fixtures and security cameras. The device has a plurality of flexible blades with an expandable cleaning pad attached to the tips of the blades. As the device is pushed onto a spherical dome cover, the blades flex outward permitting the pad to expand to the farthest end of the exposed dome. The device is rotated thereby rotating the cleaning pad and in the process, wiping the cover clean.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/789,438 filed on Apr. 5, 2006. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND 
   This device of this disclosure relates to an improvement in lens-cover cleaning devices, and more particularly to dome-type covers for security cameras and light fixtures having such dome-type covers which resemble a half-sphere; i.e., up to 180°. 
   These types of dome covers generally are elevated and seated upon a pole. The greater the relative height of the security camera or light fixture, the greater the area of surveillance or illuminations. For a security camera also, the greater the stealth of location, the less likely it will be seen by intruders and the more likely it will maintain unimpaired surveillance. 
   The dome lens of the cameras and light fixtures faces downward. Regardless of this configuration, the dome lens will attract dust, dirt, and other environmental fallout and over time will obscure the lens. The greater the build-up, the greater the visual obstruction especially for a security surveillance camera thereby minimizing if not defeating the purpose of the camera. Maintaining a clean lens is therefore extremely important to the functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the camera and light fixtures. 
   Because of their height and, in particular for security cameras, their location, cleaning the dome covers is difficult, cumbersome, and oftentimes, dangerous. A person engaged in these duties must in many cases bring, set up, and use a bulky ladder; must lean precariously out of a nearby window; or buy or rent an expensive lift. 
   The dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure eliminates the dangers previously associated with cleaning dome covers for security cameras and light fixtures and also eliminates the excessive costs associated with such cleanings when using safety equipment for that purpose. The dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure is an easy-to-use device from ground level which can reach the most obscure of locations and with a simple rotation, clean dome covers without scratching or streaking the lens in the process. It is durable, long-lasting, and inexpensive in cost, use, and maintenance. 
   The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure in a different manner or by modifying the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure may be had by referring to the summary of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
   SUMMARY 
   The above-noted problems, among others, are overcome by the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure. Briefly stated, the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure contemplates a dome-cleaning device for cleaning a spherically-shaped cover wherein the device has a base with means for removably receiving an external rod-like member; a plurality of flexible blades attached to the base and extending upward from the base, each blade having a blade body and a blade tip; and a cleaning pad with a plurality of expandable elastic arms equal in number to the number of flexible blades and a pocket on each distal end of the elastic arms wherein the pockets of each elastic arm is removably insertable over a respective blade tip. The cleaning pad is adapted to expand outward in tandem with the flexible blades as they flex outward when placed over the spherical cover. 
   As such, the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure is designed to increase routine maintenance efficiency by reducing the time it takes to properly clean the exposed spherical-type dome cover of a security camera or spherical-type dome for a light fixture. The dome-cover cleaner is designed to extend onto the dome cover which protects the lens of a security camera by using standard extension poles while operated from underneath the dome cover. The unit is engineered to clean spherical, half domes, and “mini” domes without streaking or scratching the surface being cleaned. 
   The blade tip with cleaning pad may also be used to clean out-of-the-way flat structures and optical camera lenses more easily and without streaking or scratching the surface being cleaned. 
   The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure. It also should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of the dome-cover cleaner engaging a dome lens. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dome-cover cleaner with cleansing pad removed therefrom. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevation side view of one blade of the dome-cover cleaner. 
       FIG. 4  as taken on line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of one blade of the dome-cover cleaner. 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the pad of the dome-cover cleaner in its contracted state. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , reference character  10  generally designates a dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof. The base  17  has a receiving member  19  on its bottom for receiving and retaining an external object such as, but not limited to, a pole or a rod. The receiving member  19  may be threaded with cooperating threading on the pole or rod, or the pole or rod may be friction-fitted into and retained by the receiving member  19 . 
   Several blades or fingers  11  extend upward from the base  17 . A cleansing pad  30  is fitted onto the blades  11  at their distal end. There are four such blades  11  illustrated though any plurality of from three or more may be on the base  17  for effective use of and lense cleaning by the dome-cover cleaner  10 . Each blade  11  has a relatively straight blade body  12  and a blade tip  13 . The blade tips  13  are angled outward of the blade body  12  to facilitate engagement of the dome-cover cleaner  10  to a dome lens. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the dome-cover cleaner  10  engaging a dome-type lens  60  for cleaning. It must be understood that although a dome lens for a light fixture is represented by phantom-line in this figure, a dome lens of a security camera is similar in structure and the dome-cover cleaner is extremely well-suited for cleaning all types of dome covers. As the angled blade tips  13 , with cleansing pad  30  thereon, engage the dome lens  60 , the angling and upward thrusting into the dome lens  60  causes the blades  11  to flex outward. 
   With the continued thrust of the dome-cover cleaner  10  onto the dome  60  and the outward flexing of the blades  11 , the blade tips  13 , with cleansing pad  30  thereon, ride up the dome  60  to its farthest exposed ends. Once at that location, the user rotates the pole on which the dome-cover cleaner  10  is attached. As the pole rotates, so too does the dome-cover cleaner  10  with cleansing pad  30  attached. Such rotation of the cleansing pad  30  as it fully engages the dome  60  cleans the dome  60  in a simple and effective fashion. 
   Details of the cleansing pad  30  are illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The cleansing pad  30  has a plurality of arms  31  which should be equal in number as the number of blades  11 . The distal end  35  of each arm  31  has a pocket or sleeve  33  which insert over the blade tips  13 . The blade tips  13  also have an attachment member  15  [see  FIG. 2 ] to more securely hold the cleansing pad  30  onto the blade tips  13 . Any conventional attachment member  15  suited for the intended purpose may be used, such as, but not limited to, conventional gluing, snap-type fasteners, or hook-and-eye type fasteners, but it has been found that a Velcro®-type attaching component works quite well given the materials suited for the cleansing pad  30 , particularly on the best-suited micro fibers discussed below. 
   The cleansing pad  30  should be of any conventional micro fiber, cotton or cotton blend, or other natural or synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof, suited for the intended purpose. The type of micro fiber best suited for this cleaning purpose are micro fibers which consist of micro fiber thread (between approximately 60% to approximately 80% polyester and approximately 20% to approximately 40% polyamide) woven with over 90,000 fibers per square inch. These types of micro fiber threads will absorb up to seven times their weight in water and as a result are extremely well-suited for the cleaning purpose for domes lenses made of plastics and glass materials or combinations thereof. 
   The arms  31  have an elastic feature which permit the arms  31  to expand as the blades  11  engage the dome  60  and move outward.  FIG. 5  illustrates the cleansing pad  30  in its contracted or normal state. Reference characters L-L represent the contracted or normal lengths of the arms  31 . The arms  31  are adapted to expand the distance represented by reference characters L′-L′. Given the flexibility of the blades  11  as to their dimensions [to be detailed below], the degree of expansion of the arms  31  should range from approximately 50% to approximately 80% past the distance of L-L. 
   For example, and only by way of example and not by way of limitation, if the distance from the distal end  35  of one arm  31  to the distal end  35  of its opposing arm  31  is 9-inches, the expansion to L′-L′ will be from about 4.5-inches to 7.2-inches giving the cleaning length of the respective arms  31  between about 13.5-inches to 16.2-inches. 
   Blade  11  dimensions and characteristics are best described by reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The blade height of each blade  11  is represented by reference characters A-C. Each blade  11  has a blade body  12  and a blade tip  13 . The blade tip  13  is angled from the blade body  12  at point B bearing angle X. Angling is an important feature as previously described above. In this regard, angle X of blade tip  13  should range from approximately 10° to approximately 70° outward of the blade body  12 . It has been found that best effectiveness is attained what an angle X of Each blade  11  must exhibit a torsion rigidity and lateral resistance sufficient to permit the blade  11  to flex outward without breaking as the dome-cover cleaner  10  is thrust onto the dome  60  and to return to its relaxed state without deformation. These characteristics lend to an effective dome-cover cleaner  10  and a longer useful life. 
   The composition of the blades  11  should be such that the blades  11  have a uniform flexural strength and compressive strength to insure proper rebound and ductile behavior when engaged against the dome lens. In this regard and to achieve proper contact through the common size ranges of dome structures, the blades  11  should provide a minimum of at least 2 to 4 pounds per square inch [PSI] of tensile strength when measured from blade top to bottom. 
   Dimensions also play a significant role in the blade characteristics of torsion rigidity and lateral resistance. The overall blade  11  height is represented by reference characters A-C; the blade body  12  length represented by reference characters B-C, and the blade tip  13  length by reference characters A-B. The blade  11  also resembles a diamond-like shape in cross-section [see  FIG. 4 ]. 
   The longitudinal center  23  of the blade  11  is thicker than its side edges  21 . The center thickness is represented by reference character E and the side edge thickness is represented by reference character F. The width of the blade  11  is represented by reference character D. 
   In this regard, for best torsion rigidity and lateral resistance for the blades  11 , the side edge  21  thickness F should be approximately between 5% to approximately 30% of the thickness of the center  23 , E. For example, and only by way of example and not by way of limitation, if the thickness E is 0.25-inches and thickness F is 0.0625-inches, then thickness F would be approximately 25% that of thickness E though, as stated above, thickness F could range from approximately 5% to approximately 30% as that of thickness E. 
   The blade body  12  length B-C should be approximately between 80% to approximately 95% as that of the blade  11  height A-C. For example, and only by way of example and not by way of limitation, if the length of the blade body  12  is approximately 11.5-inches and the height of the blade  11  is approximately 12.5-inches, then the blade body  12  length B-C is approximately 92% that of the blade  11  height A-C though, as stated earlier, the blade body  12  length B-C could range from approximately 80% to approximately 95% as that of the blade  11  height A-C. 
   The blade tip  13  length A-B should be approximately between 5% to approximately 20% as that of the blade  11  height A-C. For example, and only by way of example and not by way of limitation, if the length of the blade tip  13  is 1.0-inches and the height of the blade  11 , is approximately 12.5 then blade tip  13  length A-B is approximately 8% that of the blade  11  height A-C though, as stated earlier, the blade tip  13  length A-B could range from approximately 5% to approximately 20% as that of the blade  11  height A-C. 
   The width D of the blade  11  should be approximately 10% to approximately 20% as that of the blade body  12  length B-C. For example, and only by way of example and not by way of limitation, if the blade  11  width D is 1.5-inches and the blade body  12  length B-C is 11.5-inches, then the blade  11  width D is approximately 13% that of the blade body  12  length B-C though, as stated earlier, the blade  11  width D could range from approximately 10% to approximately 20% as that of the blade body  12  length B-C. 
   Given all these relative dimensions of the blade  11 , blade body  12 , blade tip  13 , and blade cross-sectional shape, width, and varying thickness in conjunction with the composition of the blade  11 , excellent torsion rigidity and lateral resistance are achieved to make the dome-cover cleaner of this disclosure extremely useful, effective, and novel. 
   The present disclosure includes that contained in the present claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure should be determined not by the embodiment[s] illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
   Applicant[s] have attempted to disclose all the embodiments of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure that could be reasonably foreseen. It must be understood, however, that there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications to dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure that remain as equivalents and thereby falling within the scope of the dome-cover cleaner of the present disclosure.