Abstract:
A squeegee and holder wherein the squeegee is of the type for smoothing foils, tapes, substrates and the like is releasably affixed to a holder that can be affixed to a user for easy access to the squeegee includes a strap for attaching to the user and has one component of a releasable fastener. A squeegee having at least one edge for smoothing foils, tapes, substrates and the like also includes a second cooperating component of said releasable fastener.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to hand tools in general and in particular to a removable wrist mounted squeegee for use in smoothing substrates and tapes. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Individuals who are employed in various skilled trades and even the weekend do-it-yourselfer perform a wide variety of mechanical tasks as part of construction and improvement projects. A plethora of hand tools in a wide variety of configurations are available to assist in accomplishing almost any of these tasks that an individual may wish to undertake. Some of these tasks often require the application of and smoothing of various tapes, substrates, or sheets to surfaces that are being worked. The most efficient method of smoothing the various materials is usually accomplished by using a device commonly known as a squeegee. 
         [0005]    One type of commonly known squeegee is used to remove excess water from windows when they are washed. This squeegee has an elongate rubber edge that is efficient in water removal. However a squeegee for smoothing materials typically has a flat elongate semi-rigid edge for drawing over the surface of the tape or substrate in order to remove wrinkles and bubbles. Some specific uses for this squeegee includes the application of decal signs on the windows of business establishments or the removal of bubbles and wrinkles during the application of wallpaper. Also, this type of squeegee is used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) trade for the smoothing of wrinkles from duct foil tape used in the installation of air conditioning ducts. 
         [0006]    In all of the above applications, the user typically is working in close quarters or areas that are not readily accessible and must have a number of tools at hand to accomplish the task. This is especially true during installation of heating and air conditioning ducts where the installer must crawl through tight spaces, work in darkened areas, and periodically use the squeegee to smooth foil duct tape. With the number of tools required to be readily accessed, those tools must also ideally be stored on the person of the user. This is accomplished through the use of tool belts, pockets, or by affixed the tools to the user with straps or cords. Squeegees have not been readily adapted to such accessible carriage. 
         [0007]    Thus what is desired is a squeegee for smoothing foil tapes, substrates, and wall paper that is conveniently carried by and accessible to the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a squeegee that is releasably affixed to a strap worn by a user that satisfies the need for a conveniently accessible tool. The squeegee is of the type for smoothing foils, tapes, substrates and the like is releasably affixed to a holder that can be affixed to a user for easy access to the squeegee. The holder includes a strap for attaching to the user and has one component of a releasable fastener. A squeegee having at least one edge for smoothing foils, tapes, substrates and the like also includes a second cooperating component of said releasable fastener. The releasable fastener can be a hook and loop fastening system wherein the strap comprises one of the hook or loop components and a cooperating loop or hook component is affixed to the squeegee. 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a squeegee and wrist strap embodying the present invention, wherein a user is wearing the wrist strap with the squeegee attached thereto; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the squeegee of  FIG. 1  separated from the wrist strap worn by the user; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an end elevation view of the squeegee. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0016]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a squeegee and holder  20  affixed to a user&#39;s wrist  10  which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , squeegee and holder combination  20  comprises a squeegee  30  and a strap  22  that can be attached to the user. In the most preferred embodiment, strap  22  is fastened around the user&#39;s wrist  10 , although alternative embodiments of strap  22  can be fabricated to attach to other parts of the user or the user&#39;s clothing and remain within the scope of the invention. Strap  22  includes a loop component  24  of a hook and loop type fastening system which is well known in the industry. Strap  22  can comprise an adjustable wrist strap  26  to which loop component  24  has been affixed, or strap  22  can comprise just the loop component  24  which is adapted to adjustably affix to itself about user&#39;s wrist  10 . 
         [0018]    Squeegee  30  has a longitudinally extending body  32  which has a longitudinal length longer than a width and includes a central section  38 . Central section  38  is of a desired thickness to contribute rigidity to central section  38  and further includes a pair of ribs  36  extending therefrom. Ribs  36  extend longitudinally along central body section  38  and are parallel and laterally spaced one from the other to define a trough  37  therebetween. A hook component  34  of the hook and loop fastening system is received in trough  37  and bonded to center section  38  utilizing a bonding agent such as glue which will securely retain hook component  34  to center section  38 . 
         [0019]    At least one blade  33  extending laterally from center section  38  of squeegee  30  in a tapering fashion and terminates at edge  40  which is much thinner than the thickness of central section  38 . The thinness of edge  40  enhances the flexibility of edge  40  compared to the semi-rigidity of body  32  such that edge  40  can more readily conform to small irregularities of the surface on which it is being used. 
         [0020]    In the most preferred embodiment and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , squeegee  30  has two blades  33  extending in opposite directions from central section  38  and terminating in like edges  40 . Additionally, central section  38  includes a second pair of ribs  36  extending from a surface opposite the first pair of ribs  36 . The second pair of ribs  36  also define a trough  37  in which is received a hook component  34  of the hook and loop fastening system. The dual hook components  34  permit the attachment of either side of squeegee  30  to strap  22  without the requirement on the user to determine which surface of squeegee  30  is adapted to be so attached. In like manner, squeegee  30  having dual blades  33  extending oppositely from center section  38  permits the user to attach squeegee  30  to strap  22  without the need to determine a preferred orientation of blade  40 . 
         [0021]    Body  32  of squeegee  30  is preferably formed from a semi-rigid moldable resin. Since, squeegee  30  is often used in darkened areas where visibility of the user is limited, the resin can be colored in highly visible bright fluorescent colors to make squeegee  30  more locatable. Alternatively, the resin used to form body  32  can also be formulated to be luminescent in a manner known in the industry. 
         [0022]    In use, the user places strap  22  about one wrist  10  (preferably about the left wrist for a right handed user and the right wrist for a left handed user) and comfortably adjusts strap  22  until it is snug and secure on wrist  10 . Squeegee  30  is then oriented such that hook segment  34  is directionally oriented in the same manner as strap  22  and in registration therewith. Squeegee  30  is then pressed toward strap  22  until hook component  34  contacts loop component  24  thereby realeasably attaching squeegee  30  to strap  22 . When the user desires to use squeegee  30 , squeegee  30  is grasped by the hand opposite wrist  10  and disengaged from strap  22 . When use of squeegee  30  has terminated, the user can reattach squeegee  30  to strap  22  until the next time squeegee  30  is desired for use. In this manner, squeegee  30  is always readily available for use and easily locatable as opposed to placing squeegee  30  on a nearby work surface or placing squeegee  30  in the pocket of a clothing article or in a tool belt which may be difficult to reach when the user is working in close quarters. 
         [0023]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.