Glass cleaning device

An article for cleaning windows and vehicle interior windows includes a rigid backing element, a deformable backing element and a rubber ring having an unstretched circumference smaller than that of the rigid backing element. The backing elements are juxtaposed with one another and a paper towel is placed against the deformable backing element. The paper towel projects laterally and longitudinally of the backing elements. The ring is positioned adjacent the side of the paper towel which faces away from the backing elements. The ring is then drawn towards the rigid backing element and, in the process, folds the projecting portions of the paper towel around the backing elements. The ring is stretched to fit around the rigid backing element and, when released, clamps the projecting portions of the paper towel between itself and the rigid backing element. As a result, the portion of the paper towel adjacent the deformable backing element is firmly held and can be used for cleaning. The rigid backing element carries a connector for a handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a cleaning article. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Automobile interiors accumulate dust which needs to be removed on occasion. 
Although a duster can be used for this purpose, dust tends to adhere to 
the duster, thereby reducing its effectiveness. 
Over time, a dirt film forms on the interior surfaces of automobile windows 
as well as on the surfaces of other types of windows. This film is 
normally removed by means of a cloth or paper towel. However, no effective 
manner of gripping the cloth or paper towel has been developed to date, 
with the result that it is difficult to manipulate the cloth or paper 
towel. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning article which makes 
it possible to clean more efficiently. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning article having 
versatility. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of producing a 
cleaning article capable of cleaning more effectively. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of generating a 
relatively versatile cleaning article. 
The preceding objects, as well as others which will become apparent as the 
description proceeds, are achieved by the invention. 
One aspect of the invention resides in a cleaning article. The cleaning 
article comprises a backing portion and a gripping portion discrete from 
the backing portion for releasably holding a cleaning member, e.g., a 
paper towel, on the backing portion. 
Since the cleaning article of the invention is designed to hold a cleaning 
member releasably, the cleaning member can be changed when it becomes 
dirty. This permits a better cleaning action to be obtained. Moreover, by 
making the gripping portion appropriately, the cleaning member will be 
firmly held, thereby allowing the cleaning action to be further enhanced. 
The fact that the gripping portion is discrete from the backing portion 
also enables the cleaning article to be relatively versatile. Thus, it 
becomes possible to use different types of cleaning members as well as 
cleaning members having different configurations and dimensions. 
Another aspect of the invention resides in a method of assembling a 
cleaning article. The method comprises the steps of encircling at least 
part of a first element with a second element, and confining a portion of 
a cleaning member, e.g., a paper towel, between the first and second 
elements during or subsequent to the encircling step. 
The first element is preferably discrete from the second element. The 
second element may be designed to resiliently urge the confined portion of 
the cleaning member towards the first element. 
The cleaning member may have a pair of opposed marginal portions, and 
another portion intermediate the marginal portions. The confining step can 
here involve clamping the marginal portions of the cleaning member between 
the first and second elements. The method may then comprise the step of 
substantially flattening the portion of the cleaning member intermediate 
the marginal portions. 
The method can further comprise the steps of removing the second element 
from the first element, reencircling the previously encircled part of the 
first element with the second element, and confining a portion of another 
cleaning member between the first and second elements during or subsequent 
to the reencircling step. 
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming 
from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read 
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a cleaning article or device 
according to the invention. The cleaning article, which is identified 
generally by the numeral 1, includes a backing portion 2 and a gripping or 
holding portion 3. The gripping portion 3 is discrete or separate from the 
backing portion 2. 
The backing portion 2 comprises a backing element 2a and another backing 
element 2b which is discrete or separate from the backing element 2a. The 
two backing elements 2a and 2b are generally oval or elliptical and have 
approximately equal cross-sectional areas. 
The backing element 2a is relatively rigid or firm and is preferably made 
of plastic. The firm backing element 2a includes a sheet-like central 
section 4 having opposed, flat major surfaces 4a and 4b. A protuberance 5 
projects from the major surface 4a at the middle of the central section 4 
and includes a flat tab or tongue 5a which is inclined to the major 
surface 4a. The tab 5a is provided with an opening 5b and serves as a 
connecting means for attachment of a handle 6 to the cleaning article 1. 
The firm backing element 2a further includes an annular rim or margin 7 
which surrounds the central section 4. The rim 7 projects beyond the major 
surface 4a but not the major surface 4b. An annular bevel 7a 
circumscribing the central section 4 of the firm backing element 2a may be 
formed on the rim 7 in the region adjacent the major surface 4b of the 
central section 4. 
The backing element 2b is sheet-like and deformable or pliant. The 
deformable backing element 2b is preferably resilient or elastic and can, 
for example, be made of a foamed material such as foamed rubber. 
The gripping portion 3 of the cleaning article 1 is in the form of an 
elastic or resilient ring which is preferably composed of rubber. The 
circumference of the gripping ring 3 in its relaxed or unstressed 
condition is less than the circumference of the firm backing element 2a. 
The handle 6 comprises a shaft 6a which is provided with a cap 6b at one 
end thereof. The cap 6b is designed to be held by a user of the cleaning 
article 1. The end of the shaft 6a remote from the cap 6b has a collar 6c, 
and an internally threaded locknut 8 is retained on the shaft 6a by means 
of the cap 6b and the collar 6c. The shaft 6a has an extension 6d to the 
side of the collar 6c remote from the cap 6b. 
The handle 6 additionally comprises a pair of discrete connecting members 
9a and 9b having flat faces which are designed to abut the two sides of 
the tab 5a. A projection 10 protrudes from the flat face of the connecting 
member 9a and is receivable in the opening 5b of the tab 5a. The 
connecting members 9a and 9b have respective ends 11a and 11b which are 
provided with threaded, part-cylindrical outer surfaces, and the threaded 
ends 11a and 11b of the connecting members 9a and 9b are formed with 
respective recesses 12a and 12b. 
The manner of connecting the handle 6 to the firm backing element 2a can be 
seen from FIG. 3. The projection 10 of the connecting member 9a is 
inserted in the opening 5b of the tab 5a so that the flat face of the 
connecting member 9a abuts one side of the tab 5a. The flat face of the 
connecting member 9b is placed against the other side of the tab 5a, and 
the connecting members 9a and 9b are positioned in such a way that the 
threaded end 11a of the connecting member 9a is opposite the threaded end 
11b of the connecting member 9b. In this position, the threaded ends 11a 
and 11b of the connecting members 9a and 9b cooperate to form an 
externally threaded, substantially cylindrical element having an internal 
passage which is defined by the recesses 12a and 12b and opens in a 
direction away from the tab 5a. The externally threaded cylindrical 
element is designed to mesh with the internally threaded locknut 8, and 
the internal passage of the cylindrical element is designed to receive the 
extension 6d of the shaft 6a. The handle 6 is secured to the tab 5a of the 
firm backing element a by inserting the extension 6d into the 
internal,passage of the connecting members 9a and 9b and screwing the 
locknut 8 onto the treaded ends of the connecting members 9a and 9b. 
The cleaning article 1 is assembled as follows: 
The deformable backing element 2b is oriented in the same manner as the 
firm backing element 2a and one of the major surfaces of the deformable 
backing element 2b is placed against the major surface 4b of the firm 
backing element 2a. A flexible cleaning member 13 is positioned adjacent 
that major surface of the deformable backing element 2b which faces away 
from the firm backing element 2a. The cleaning member 13 is here assumed 
to be a paper towel but could also be a cloth or some other article 
capable of providing a cleaning action. The paper towel 13 is shown as 
being folded in half. 
The length dimension of the paper towel 13 runs in the direction of the 
major axes of the oval backing elements 2a and 2b. The length of the paper 
towel 13 exceeds the lengths of the backing elements 2a and 2b, and the 
paper towel 13 has a pair of opposed marginal portions or end portions 13a 
which project beyond the backing elements 2a and 2b. The marginal portions 
13a of the paper towel 13 are spanned by a cleaning portion 13b. Although 
the edges or lateral marginal regions of the cleaning portion 13b may 
project laterally of the backing elements 2a and 2b, the major part of the 
cleaning portion 13b is juxtaposed with the deformable backing element 2b. 
Once the paper towel 13 has been properly positioned adjacent the 
deformable backing element 2b, the resilient ring 3 is placed on the side 
of the paper towel 13 remote from the deformable backing element 2b. The 
ring 3 and the firm backing element 2a are drawn towards one another 
thereby causing the projecting marginal portions 13a of the paper towel 
13, as well as any projecting edge of the cleaning portion 13b, to be 
folded around the deformable backing element 2b. Movement of the ring 3 
and the firm backing element 2a relative to each other continues until the 
ring 3 has passed by the deformable backing element 2b and circumscribes 
the rim 7 of the firm backing element 2a. In this position, the marginal 
portions 13a and any projecting edge of the cleaning portion 13b are 
confined between the ring 3 and the firm backing element 2a. 
Since the circumference of the ring 3 in its relaxed condition is smaller 
than the circumference of the firm backing element 2a, the ring 3 must be 
stretched in order to draw the ring 3 around the rim 7 of the firm backing 
element 2a. Hence, the ring 3 resiliently clamps the marginal portions 13a 
and any projecting edge of the cleaning portion 13b between itself and the 
firm backing element 2a. 
The part of the cleaning portion 13b which is juxtaposed with the 
deformable backing element 2b preferably lies flat against the deformable 
backing element 2b. Flattening of the cleaning portion 13b can take place 
as the ring 3 and the firm backing element 2a are drawn to one another. If 
the cleaning portion 13b does not lie flat against the deformable backing 
element 2b after the ring 3 has been positioned around the firm backing 
element 2a, the cleaning portion 13b may be flattened by carefully pulling 
on the marginal portions 13a of the paper towel 13 and on any projecting 
edge of the cleaning portion 13b. 
The paper towel 13 is releasably clamped between the ring 3 and the firm 
backing element 2a. The paper towel 13 can be released by stretching the 
ring 3 and sliding out the paper towel 13 or by removing the ring 3 from 
the firm backing element 2a. Clamping of the paper towel 13 between the 
ring 3 and the firm backing element 2a, as well as release of the paper 
towel 13, can be carried out while the handle 6 is attached to or 
disattached from the tab 5a of the firm backing element 2a. 
In FIG. 5, a person 14 is using the cleaning article 1 to clean the 
interior of an automobile 15. The person 14 grasps the cap 6a of the 
handle 6 and manipulates the cleaning article 1 so as to run the cleaning 
portion 13b of the paper towel 13 over the surfaces to be cleaned. For 
instance, the cleaning article can be used to dust the dashboard of the 
automobile 15, to remove dirt films from the interior surfaces of the 
windows of the automobile 15, and to remove debris from the upholstery of 
the automobile 15. 
The handle 6 of the cleaning article 1 allows the person 14 to clean the 
interior of the automobile 15 while standing outside of the automobile 15. 
FIG. 5 shows the person 14 standing on the passenger side of the 
automobile 15 and cleaning the interior of the automobile 15 via a window 
on the passenger side. However, as illustrated, it is also possible to 
clean the interior of the automobile 15 through a window on the driver's 
side of the automobile 15. The cleaning article 1 can find applications 
other than cleaning automobiles. 
The cleaning article 1 makes it possible to achieve an efficient cleaning 
action. Thus, the paper towel 13 can be readily replaced when it becomes 
dirty. To this end, the ring 3 is removed from the firm backing element 2a 
thereby releasing the paper towel 13. A fresh paper towel can then be 
mounted on the cleaning article 1 in the manner described above. The 
cleaning action is enhanced because the ring 3 causes the paper towel 13 
to be firmly gripped. 
The cleaning article 1 is also quite versatile due to the fact that the 
ring 3 is discrete from the backing elements 2a, 2b. By virtue of this 
feature, the cleaning article 1 is not limited to any particular type of 
cleaning member, or to a cleaning member having a specific configuration 
or specific dimensions. 
The deformable backing element 2b prevents the cleaning article 1 from 
scratching or otherwise damaging a Surface being cleaned. 
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the cleaning article of 
the invention. In FIGS. 6-8, the same numerals as in FIGS. 1-4, but with 
the prefix "2" are used to identify corresponding elements. 
The cleaning article 21 of FIGS. 6-8 differs from the cleaning article 1 of 
FIGS. 1-4 primarily in the design of the backing elements. 
Referring to FIG. 7, the firm backing element 22a of the cleaning article 
21 has an oval or elliptical part 30a and an approximately C-shaped part 
or lip 30b. The oval part 30a can be identical to the firm backing element 
2a of FIGS. 1-4. The C-shaped part 30b, which is flat, projects from one 
end of the oval part 30a in the direction of the major axis of the oval 
part 30a. The C-shaped part 30b has two flat and straight edge faces or 
sides 31a and 31b which extend from the oval part 30a on opposite sides of 
the major axis of the oval part 30a. The edge faces 31a and 31b, which are 
parallel to one another and to such major axis, intersect the oval part 
30a in a plane A--A normal to the major surfaces 24a and 24b (see FIG. 6) 
of the oval part 30a. The C-shaped part 30b has a third straight and flat 
edge face or side 31c which bridges the parallel edge faces 31a and 31b 
and is perpendicular to the major axis of the oval part 30a. 
With reference to FIG. 8, the deformable backing element 22b of the 
cleaning article 21 includes two sections or segments 32a and 32b which 
are located on opposite sides of and meet at a plane B--B normal to the 
major surfaces of the deformable backing element 22b. The section 32a, 
which lies to the right of the plane B--B, is part-oval or part-elliptical 
in plan and matches or approximately matches the section of the firm 
backing element 22a to the right of the plane A--A (see FIG. 7). The 
section 32b lying to the left of the plane B--B is polygonal, e.g., square 
or rectangular, in plan and corresponds at least approximately to the 
section of the firm backing element 22b to the left of the plane A--A (see 
FIG. 7). Thus, when placed against the major surface 24b (see FIG. 6) of 
the firm backing element 22a, the deformable backing element 22b can be 
made to coincide, or almost coincide, with the firm backing element 22a 
(see FIG. 6). 
The backing elements 22a and 22b have an outline resembling that of a 
mitten. 
The cleaning article 21 is assembled in the same manner as the cleaning 
article 1. However, assembly of the cleaning article 21 is simplified if 
the ring 23 is drawn over the C-shaped part or lip 30b of the firm backing 
element 22a before being drawn around the section of the firm backing 
element 22a to the right of the plane A--A. 
The C-shaped part or lip 30b of the firm backing element 22a is useful for 
getting into corners of an object being cleaned. 
FIGS. 9 and 10 show an additional embodiment of the cleaning article 
according to the invention. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the same numerals as in 
FIGS. 1-4, but with the prefix "4" are used to denote corresponding 
elements. 
The cleaning article 41 of FIGS. 9 and 10 differs from the cleaning article 
1 of FIGS. 1-4 mainly in that the backing elements 42a and 42b, and 
possibly the ring 43, of the cleaning article 41 are rectangular rather 
than oval. 
FIG. 10 illustrates the cleaning article 41 being used to clean a 
rectangular windowpane 50. The rectangular shape of the cleaning article 
41 makes it easier to access the corners of the windowpane 50. The same 
effect can be achieved by making the backing elements 42a and 42b and the 
ring 43 square. 
Various modifications can be made within the meaning and range of 
equivalence of the appended claims.