Abstract:
A squeegee including an elongated squeegee blade having a substantially rigid upper portion and a lower flexible wiper portion. The squeegee further includes a generally T-shaped extension centered above and axially parallel with the squeegee blade. The T-shaped extension has a substantially rigid flange, operably connectable to the squeegee handle; and a flexible leg extending downward from the rigid flange and connected there-below to the rigid upper portion of the squeegee blade.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of PCT/IL2015/050651, entitled “Squeegee”, filed on 24 Jun. 2015, and which claims priority from IL 233429, entitled “Squeegee”, filed on 26 Jun. 2014, the content of each being incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to wiping mechanisms, in particular squeegees for wiping floors and other flat surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wiper blades for moving water on flat surfaces such as floors are commonly used in Israel and North West Africa. In other places in the world squeegee wiper blades are used mostly in industrial and institutional premises where there are large quantities of water. 
         [0004]    The method of working with a wiper blade on a stick or handle is as follows: 
         [0005]    1. Pushing the water 
         [0006]    The user walks forward and pushes the squeegee with the stick or handle away from him moving the water forward. This method is suitable for industrial applications with large quantities of water. 
         [0007]    2. Collecting the water 
         [0008]    The user draws the squeegee with the stick or handle towards him pulling the water towards him. 
         [0009]    Most conventional flat wiper blades are flat rubber blades contained in a track and fastened thereto with screws or attached under pressure or by threading therein, etc. A handle or stick is attached to the track. Such wiper blades become warped and break down quickly. 
         [0010]    Squeegees made of a single piece rubber, not requiring a track are also widely used. These squeegees are made of synthetic or natural rubber, are hard and tough on one side with flexible blades on the other side. The combination of these two properties makes their performance better than the conventional squeegees and gives an exceptionally long life expectancy. Such squeegees are described in Israel patent IL119568. 
         [0011]    U.S. 2011/107,551 (Cassar) describes a squeegee of broom attachment that provides lateral flexibility between the handle and the squeegee blade (or broom bristles) via symmetrical open-ended recess cavities, thereby providing left/right bending of the attachment with respect to the squeegee. 
         [0012]    One problem with collecting water using presently available squeegees is as follows: 
       Starting Position: 
       [0013]    When a user uses a squeegee to collect water, he/she usually starts with holding out the squeegee a meter or more away from the body. In such a position, the squeegee is at an angle of about 40° with the floor. This is an optimal, or at least, preferred angle, in which the squeegee collects water effectively and leaves the floor relatively dry there-behind, and there is no need to put significant pressure on the wiper blade. 
       Intermediate Position: 
       [0014]    The user brings the water towards him/her over a distance of 50 cm from the body. In these 50 cm, the angle of the squeegee to the floor is changed from about 40° to 65° as the squeegee gets closer to the user. This range between 40° and 65° is the range in which the squeegee still collects water/liquid well and the user still does not have to put significant pressure on the wiper blade. 
       Last Collecting Stage: 
       [0015]    The user further pulls the squeegee towards him/her, getting relatively close to the user&#39;s body. In this stage of collection, the angle of the squeegee with the floor fluctuates from about 65° to 90° . In the range of these angles, the squeegee is not efficient because the end of the blade is very thin providing a very small contact area with the floor surface. Therefore, the user needs to exert more pressure on the squeegee, so that the blade of the squeegee will change its angle to the floor to a sharper angle ranging from 40° to 65°. 
         [0016]    With squeegees for floors available nowadays, the change of angle of the wiper blade to the floor is carried out by exerting pressure and bending (arching) the blade. Since the exerted pressure is not uniform along the entire length of the blade, but rather greater on the center section of the wiper blade underneath the stick, the blade does not bend uniformly, and more bending/arching occurs in the center section of the blade. The arched section of the blade is highly tensioned, and this may even cause the wiper blade to shake while in use, i.e., while pulling/pushing water which makes it harder for the user to control the blade. 
         [0017]    There are also window or windshield wipers of numerous types that have been developed over the years for various applications some of which are described below: 
         [0018]    GB2432109 describes a wiper blade for removing water from a surface including a plurality of wiper blade segments that ensure optimum contact with the surface being cleaned. The wiper blade may be operated by hand, as a squeegee, or by mechanical means, for example in windscreen wipers of a vehicle. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,606 discloses a cleaning device which is durable, efficient and convenient to handle. This is a cleaning device that may be employed for cleaning small and inaccessible surfaces. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,367 describes a wiper blade made of methyl vinyl silicone polymer, a filler and a friction-reducing additive. 
         [0021]    U.S.2002/032,945 discloses an elongated rubber wiper blade that includes a base portion fixed to the wiper blade, a neck portion, and three lip portions in which a central lip is suspended from the base portion through the neck portion at a central portion of the underside of the base portion, while lateral lips branch off from the central lip on lateral sides thereof. 
         [0022]    It should be noted that some of the windscreen wipers for cars described above have a specially configured top portion over a base section along the entire length of the base for inserting into a track. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In accordance with embodiments of one aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved squeegee for use in combination with a squeegee handle to which the squeegee is operably connectable. The squeegee includes an elongated squeegee blade having a substantially rigid upper portion and a lower flexible wiper. The squeegee further includes a generally T-shaped extension centered above the squeegee blade. The T-shaped extension includes a substantially rigid flange, operably connectable to the squeegee handle; and a flexible leg extending downward from the rigid flange and connected there-below to the rigid upper portion of the squeegee blade. Upon using the squeegee, a wiping force on the squeegee flexes the flexible leg and thereby produces a non-aligned state between the squeegee handle and the flexible wiper—i.e. the handle and the blade form an angle with a vertex at the flexible leg. 
         [0024]    The entire squeegee may be manufactured as a one-piece unit. 
         [0025]    It is a particular feature of the present invention that the flexible leg of the substantially T-shaped extension provides flexibility whereby, upon wiping with the squeegee, the wiping force exerted by the user (via the handle) results in flexing of the flexible leg. This flex of the leg produces a non-aligned orientation between the handle and the blade; i.e. an angle between the handle and the blade. This angle facilitates the blade of the blade to be maintained at preferred angles with the floor for improved wiping efficiency. For understanding only, and not intended to limit scope, it is noted that typically the preferred angle of the wiper blade to the floor is about 40 to 45 degrees. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the squeegee is made of a material selected from natural or synthetic rubber, silicone, polymers or a mixture thereof. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the upper portion of the wiper blade is reinforced to provide rigidity, such as by a reinforcement rod disposed therein (herein the specification and claims the term “rod” will denote any suitable reinforcement member including a bar, a plate, wire(s), fibers and the like). In some embodiments, the rod extends essentially throughout the entire length of the upper portion of the blade. In some embodiments, the rod is made of a rigid material selected from metals, alloys, polymers and the like. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the wiper blade and T-shaped extension are molded as a single piece. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the top surface of the T-shaped extension comprises means for attaching a handle socket. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the socket is mounted on the T-shaped extension. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the socket is manufactured as a single unit. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the T-shaped extension is between ½ and ⅙ the length of the wiper blade. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the flange of the T-shaped extension is reinforced to provide rigidity. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the flange of the T-shaped extension is reinforced via a reinforcement bar disposed therein (herein the specification and claims the term “bar” will denote any suitable reinforcement member including a rod, a plate, wire(s), fibers and the like). 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the bar extends substantially throughout the entire length of the rigid flange of the T-shaped extension. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments of another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a one piece squeegee made of rubbery material by molding with reinforcements in a single operation. 
         [0037]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved squeegee for the collection of water from flat surfaces that is operated with a typical handle and which facilitates efficient wiping as well as drying of the flat surfaces with minimum effort, i.e., by collecting the water (drawing the water towards oneself) with minimum application of pressure on the squeegee. 
         [0038]    During use, when the user presses lightly on the squeegee, the angle of the squeegee blade changes to or continues at a more preferable angle with the floor of about 40° to 45°. The angle changes linearly with the pressure applied. As a result, because the flexible leg relatively easily bends, the wiper is not significantly arched, rather tends to remain fairly straight. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a squeegee in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the squeegee of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the squeegee of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is a view as in  FIG. 3  with the squeegee blade tilted; 
           [0043]      FIG. 5A  (PRIOR-ART) illustrates a squeegee available nowadays held by a user away from his body; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5B  (PRIOR-ART) illustrates a squeegee available nowadays held by a user close to his body; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6A  illustrates the squeegee of the present invention held by a user close to his body; 
           [0046]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the squeegee of the present invention held and pressed very lightly by the user; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 7  is a front view of another embodiment of the squeegee. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a squeegee  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The squeegee  100  has an elongated squeegee blade  102 , in some embodiments made in one piece from natural or synthetic rubber or silicone, polymers or a mixture thereof by molding. Squeegee blade  102  includes a rigid upper blade portion  104 , a flexible wiper  106 , and a T-shaped extension  108  having a horizontal, substantially rigid flange  110  and a flexible leg  112 . 
         [0050]    Flange  110  may include threaded grooves for attachment to a socket  118  that holds a stick or handle  120  (see  FIGS. 6A-B ). The socket  118  can be a fixed socket or a swivel socket that can be locked in position, as is known in the art. 
         [0051]    T-shaped extension  108  extends from the surface of rigid upper blade portion  104  of squeegee blade  102  and is typically centered and about ½ to ⅙ the length of the blade. 
         [0052]    The rigid upper blade portion  104  is typically reinforced internally by a plate or rod  122 , which preferably extends essentially or substantially the entire length of the rigid upper blade portion  104  of blade  102 . The rod  122  may be made of metal, polymers and the like. 
         [0053]    Similarly, flange  110  of the T-shaped extension  108  preferably has an internal reinforcing rod or plate  124 , which may be made of metal, polymers and the like. 
         [0054]    The inner reinforcement rod  122  of rigid upper blade portion  104  and the flange  110  provides the squeegee with stiffness while leg  112  gives the squeegee flexibility, enabling blade  102  and its wiper  106  to be operated with minimum effort. 
         [0055]    In some preferred embodiments, extension  108  is shorter than squeegee blade  102 , whereby leg  112  is relatively short, thereby aiding in its flexibility while allowing the leg to still be thick enough to withstand wear and tear. In some embodiments, the length of the T-shaped extension  108  is between ½ and ⅙ the length of blade  102 . 
         [0056]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , squeegee blade  102  may taper from the bottom of rigid upper blade portion  104  toward a thin elongated free end of wiper  106 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  shows squeegee blade  102  in a tilted orientation where handle  120  is not aligned therewith, nor with flexible wiper  106 , rather an angle is formed between handle  102  and blade  102 , due to flexing of leg  112 . Leg  112  is typically relatively thin compared to rigid upper blade portion  104  of squeegee blade  102  thereby facilitating the squeegee blade to be angled with respect to the floor  302  so that the blade, and especially flexible wiper  106 , engages a larger surface to be wiped. This is important, as otherwise, when squeegee  100  is drawn towards the user, the angle of blade  102  with the floor  302  would typically be greater than the preferred 40 to 45 degree angle, e.g. typically at an angle of about 65 degrees. However, when the user presses very lightly, thin leg  112  permits the angle of the blade  102  and flexible wiper  106  to more or less remain at a preferred angle of about 40°-45° with the floor  302 , due to the continued, and typically increasing (during operation), flexing of leg  112 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5A  (PRIOR-ART) illustrates a squeegee available nowadays held by a user away from his body. As seen in the figure, the user holds the squeegee away from his body, and the blade is at an angle, α, relative to the floor, which is about 40°. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5B  (PRIOR-ART) illustrates a squeegee available nowadays held by a user close to his body. When the user brings the squeegee closer to his body, as shown, the blade bends relative to the floor, to an angle, β, which is about 65°. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6A  illustrates the squeegee  100  of the present invention held by a user close to his body, and  FIG. 6B  illustrates the squeegee  100  pressed lightly by the user. As seen in  FIG. 6A , the angle of approach of squeegee blade  102  with the floor, γ, is greater than 65°. 
         [0061]    However, during use ( FIG. 6B ), when the squeegee  100  is brought closer to the user, even without applying significant pressure on the squeegee, leg  112  flexes so that there is an angle of approach of the squeegee with the floor, angle γ, of about 40° or so, which is less than 65°, and is a more preferred angle for wiping the floor. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of squeegee  100  wherein the blade  102 ; upper blade portion  104 , including wiper  106 ; T-shaped extension  108 ; flange  110 ; flexible leg  112 ; and handle socket  118  are constituted by a one- piece unit (i.e. integrally formed), typically of rubber or other elastomeric material, optionally, with suitable internal reinforcement. In some embodiments and as illustrated, squeegee  100  includes a pair of reinforcement wings  130 , each wing attached to and flanking the handle socket  118  as well as attached to a portion of upper blade portion  104  so as to span and connect between the socket and the upper blade portion. Reinforcement wings  130  provide strength to the unit and limit right/left flexing.