Abstract:
A new combination cleaning tool construction wherein the same can be utilized for cleaning surfaces, in particular, glass surfaces such as windshields. In particular the invention described herein provides a new combination cleaning tool construction wherein the same can be utilized for cleaning surfaces, in particular, glass surfaces such as windshields or the like, with corner portions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The use of windshield cleaning tools is known in the prior art. More specifically, windshield cleaning tools heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. Some examples of known cleaning tools include those found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,535; U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,370; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 327,146; U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,212; U.S. Pat. No. 913,304; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,528. 
         [0002]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new combination cleaning tool. The inventive device includes a handle with a head portion coupled to the proximal end of the handle. An elongate resiliently flexible squeegee blade is coupled to the head portion. A resiliently compressible sponge member is coupled to the head portion distal the squeegee blade. Coupled to each end of the head portion is a resiliently compressible scrubbing pad each designed for scrubbing debris off of a surface. 
         [0003]    In these respects, the combination cleaning tool according to invention described herein departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of cleaning surfaces, in particular, glass surfaces such as windshields which typically include corners that cannot be cleaned by the aforementioned cleaning tools. The invention described herein is also configured to clean other surfaces, such as floors and walls that include corner portions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of windshield cleaning tools now present in the prior art, the invention herein provides a new combination cleaning tool construction wherein the same can be utilized for cleaning surfaces, especially glass surfaces such as windshields. In particular the invention described herein provides a new combination cleaning tool construction wherein the same can be utilized for cleaning surfaces, in particular, glass surfaces such as windshields or the like, with corner portions. 
         [0005]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The invention will be better understood in view of the detailed description and referred drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art squeegee and cleaning tool. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning tool. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a cleaning tool. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a cleaning tool. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a cleaning tool. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top plan cut-away view of the head portion of a cleaning tool. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of a cleaning tool. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a head portion and an external fluid delivery means. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of a handle portion and an internally disposed pump. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1  which describes a prior art cleaning tool designated by the reference numeral  10 . Rigid cleaning tools  10  of the prior art generally comprise a handle  11  with an inflexible head portion  12  coupled to the proximal end  30  of handle  11 . An elongate flexible squeegee blade  13  is coupled to the inflexible head portion  12 . Inflexible head portion  12  generally comprises a sponge member  14 . 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5  which illustrate several example embodiments of a resilient cleaning tool  20  which comprise a handle  25  having a proximal end  30  and an opposed distal end  35  and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The handle  25  has a length defined between proximal end  30  and distal end  35  of the handle  25  preferably greater than about  6  inches. Referring to  FIG. 2  where handle  25  is at least about  12  inches in length. In this example embodiment, handle is between  12  and  36  inches in length. In a preferred embodiment, handle will be about  24  inches in length. Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5  where handle is between about  6  inches and  12  inches in length. 
         [0018]    It should also be appreciated that handle  25  may include a telescopic portion to allow cleaning tool  20  to extend the length of handle  25 . In these example embodiments the telescoping function may be initiated by any number of known means. In one exemplary embodiment, fastening ring disposed on the outer circumference of handle  25  may be loosened, thereby extending handle  25 . Once the handle portion is released to a sufficient length, fastening ring may be tightened to secure the extended handle while the cleaning tool is in use. In other related embodiments, a telescoping handle assembly includes an inner and outer telescoping handle sections. The inner section has an outer surface positioned along a substantial portion of the inner surface of outer section. The outer section may optionally include locking teeth that are fixed axially in position along the length of the outer section and that are resiliently movable between a locked condition disposed in one of the grooves on the inner section and an unlocked condition. 
         [0019]    In other related embodiments, handle assembly includes a locking sleeve movable in a first rotational direction to apply inwardly directed force to prevent telescopic movement of the inner section relative to the outer section. The locking sleeve is movable in a second rotational direction, opposite the first direction, to enable the telescopic movement of the inner section relative to the outer section. 
         [0020]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2-5 , handle  25  is shown with a cylindrical outer configuration and a circular or oval transverse cross section. As best shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , handle  25  is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle  25 . Although handle  25  could be configured with an angle as shown in  FIG. 5 . The relative angle, style and design are within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Turning again to  FIGS. 2-5  where handle  25  has a gripping portion  40  adjacent the distal end  35  of the handle  25 . The gripping portion  40  is designed for grasping by a hand of a user. In preferred embodiments, the gripping portion  40  may include an ergonomic design to improve the relative ease at which a user can grasp gripping portion  40  to reduce unnecessary strain for the user. 
         [0021]    Resilient cleaning tool  20  may also include a spray pump  45  which generally includes a reservoir  50  and a nozzle  55  in fluid communication with a conduit tubing  60 .  FIG. 2  shows when example embodiment of spray pump  45  where reservoir  50  is mechanically coupled to handle  25  via a bracket  65 . It should be appreciated that the type of securement means are well know to those skilled in the art. Still referring to  FIG. 2 , reservoir  50  can be refilled by removing lid  70  and placing a cleaning solution therein. Nozzle  55  is moveably attached to handle  25  to allow a user to position nozzle  55  adjacent sponge member  14 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , reservoir  50 , nozzle  55  and conduit tubing (located in the internal cavity of reservoir  50 ) are similar to that of a hairspray pump. Reservoir  50  is attached to handle  25  via a generally medial clasp  85  to allow a user to removeably attach reservoir  50 . This removable feature allows for a user to conveniently refill or replace reservoir  50  when needed. Turning specifically to  FIG. 3  which shows spray pump  45  in a generally parallel configuration relative to handle  25 . Alternatively,  FIGS. 4 and 5 , describe a spray pump  45  in a generally perpendicular configuration relative to handle  25 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 8  which discloses nozzle  55  transverse through a surface of handle  25  in a manner that provides the terminal end of nozzle  55  to be adjacent to sponge member  14 . In at least this example embodiment, nozzle  55  is positioned in a manner to spray sponge member  14  to provide sufficient wetting to allow a user to clean the interior surface of a window or other surface in need thereof. It should be appreciated that this close proximity is also advantageous as the spray pump does not need to use excess cleaning solution to achieve a clean surface. Although  FIG. 8  is shown with nozzle  55  adjacent to sponge member  14 , the precise location and orientation may vary. In one alternative embodiment, nozzle  55  is positioned in a manner that will allow nozzle to be directed toward an area above (or below) head portion  22  which will allow the cleaning solution to be directly sprayed on a surface needing to be cleaned. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-8  where various views and embodiments of a flexible head portion  22  are shown. Flexible head portion  22  is coupled to the distal end  35  of handle  25 . Preferably, the head portion  22  is generally configured in a manner that will include a pair of opposite ends  30 ,  35 , and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. Flexible head portion  22  is illustrated showing a substantially perpendicular relationship with proximal end  30  of handle  25 . Referring now to  FIG. 6  which illustrates a cross-section view of head portion  22  surrounded by sponge member  14 . The cross-section of the head portion  22  is a structure that provides the flexibility to operate resilient cleaning tool  20  in corners and the like. As shown in  FIG. 6 , head portion  22  is a spring. The head portion  22  structure should be sturdy enough to hold a generally horizontal position when not in use (i.e.  FIGS. 2-5  and  8 ), but flexible to allow for use in corners and the like when sufficient force is applied (i.e.  FIG. 7 ). Any material that will provide the resilient features of head portion  22  as described herein are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    The length of the sponge member  14  is substantially similar to the length of head portion  22 . In other related embodiments, sponge member  14  is at most about equal in length to elongate member in use. In other embodiments, the length of sponge member  14  is about one-half the length of the handle  25 . In another exemplary embodiment, the length of the head portion  22  is greater than about  4  inches to permit cleaning of an adequate amount of a windshield corner to be cleaned without the need for multiple passes. 
         [0026]    The resilient cleaning tool  20  may optionally include a squeegee blade which is connected to the head portion  22 . In use, the squeegee blade is designed for drawing across a surface to remove water from the surface. The squeegee blade ideally comprises a resiliently flexible rubber or plastic material. The squeegee blade has a pair of opposite ends and a length defined between the ends of the squeegee blade. The squeegee blade has a generally triangular cross section transverse the length of the squeegee blade. The length of the squeegee blade extends between the ends of the head portion. Preferably, the length of the squeegee blade is extended generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle  25  and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head portion  22 . 
         [0027]    In at least the embodiments described herein, the length of the optional squeegee blade extends across more than one-half of the length of the head portion  22 . It should be appreciated that in order to support the squeegee action of removing water along a surface enough rigidity must be provided. In embodiments where a squeegee is desired, a head bracket  80  may also be used to provide a base structure for squeegee blade to be attached thereto. In at least these example embodiments, head bracket  80  is in mechanical communication with at least the proximal end  30  and/or head portion  22 . In other related embodiments, squeegee blade is attached directly to head portion  22 . The length of the squeegee blade extends across essentially the entire length of the head portion  22  or head bracket  80  depending on the desired configuration. 
         [0028]    Sponge member  14  is coupled to the head portion  22  and is manufactured for absorbing fluid therein. The sponge member  14  has an exterior surface extending around the lateral ends of the head portion  22 . The length of the sponge member  14  extends generally across the entire length of the head portion  22 . The sponge member  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-8  has a generally semi-circular transverse cross section generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head portion  22 . The transverse cross-section of the sponge member  14  preferably extends over a substantial portion of head portion  22 . Preferably, the sponge member  14  has a fabric material, such as a mesh netting, over the exterior surface of the sponge member  14  adapted for aiding scrubbing off of debris from a surface, such as a window surface. Cleaning tool  20  may optionally include scrubbing pads. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , which discloses a substantial portion of spray pump  45  located within the internal cavity of handle  25 . In this embodiment, reservoir  50  is accessible by removing a portion of handle  25  from resilient cleaning tool  20  to access lid  70 . Still referring now to  FIG. 9 , where the transverse cross-section of the gripping portion  40  has a diameter greater than a diameter of the transverse cross-section of the handle. Preferably, the distal end  35  of the handle  25  also has threaded bore (not shown) therein. The threaded bore is designed for threadably receiving a threaded end of a gripping portion  40  when access to the interior cavity of handle  25  is desired. 
         [0030]    In use, the cleaning tool  20  is designed for cleaning surfaces, in particular glass surfaces such as a windshield, and also clean portions of these glass surfaces that may also include corners or bends that an inflexible head portion  12  cannot readily clean. Additional surfaces are also contemplated, such as floors, walls and mirrors. 
         [0031]    In use, the sponge member  14  is soaked in a cleaning fluid such as water mixed with a soap detergent or windshield wiper fluid and then run over the windshield to wet the windshield. Sponge member  14 , which is shown with a scrubbing fabric material covering sponge member  14  outer surface, is then rubbed over debris on the windshield to loosen and remove the debris from the windshield. Finally, the squeegee blade  75  is then run over the windshield to remove the fluid and loosen debris from the windshield. 
         [0032]    In another exemplary use, resilient cleaning tool  20  will include a spray pump  45  that will spray a sufficient amount of cleaning solution onto (or into) sponge member  14  to allow for the cleaning of a surface. When a user desires to spray cleaning solution from nozzle  55 , the user will activate spray pump  45  using a switch  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9 . Although no single application is preferred, switch  90  may activate spray pump  45  via electronic or manual means. In example embodiments utilizing an electric means resilient cleaning tool  20  may also be equipped with a battery. 
         [0033]    As previously mentioned, nozzle  55  may be positioned in a manner that will allow nozzle to be directed toward an area above (or below) head portion  22  which will allow the cleaning solution to be directly sprayed on a surface needing to be cleaned. Head portion  22  is passed along surface and may also be pressed into corners and difficult to reach areas of a surface where the head portion  22  and sponge member  14  can clean the window, or surface, adjacent a frame structure. 
         [0034]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0035]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment[s] are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.