Patent GB-376119-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved window cleaning device
IPC: A47L1/03
Filed: 1931-10-16
Abstract: 376,119. Window-cleaning devices. DIXON, A., 7, Hannah Street, Elswick, Newcastle-on- Tyne. Oct. 16, 1931, No. 28774. [Class 138 (i).] A device for cleaning windows, of the kind in which two pads simultaneously clean the outside and inside of the window, comprises a member 1, Figs. 1 and.2, clamped to the window sash 2 and provided with bearings for a rotatably-mounted tubular member 3, each end of which fits in a bracket 5 pivotally mounted on an arm 8 of channel section. A channel-shaped member 9 is pivotally mounted within the member 3 and is connected to a pair of rods 11 extending in opposite directions. Each rod passes through a slot in a bracket 5 and is connected adjustably to a vertical arm 8. A spring 12 encircling the rod tends to press the upper portion of the arm towards the window pane. Each arm has a vertical slot 14 to receive a guide block 15 connected to an operating knob 16 and rod 17 carrying a holder 18 for a wiping pad 19. In each arm 8 there are mounted pulleys 20, 21, 22, for cords 23, 24 connected to the guide blocks 15. The arrangement is such that movement of one of the guide blocks 15 causes corresponding movement of the other block. The operation of moving one vertical arm 8 away from the window effects through the rods 11 a corresponding movement of the other arm 8. For cleaning very large windows, an arrangement as shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 7 may be employed. Each arm 8 is provided with a slidable extension 25, a hollow spirally-grooved spindle 33, and a solid spirally-grooved spindle 31, the grooves of the latter being engaged by teeth 34 formed on the spindle 33. Slidably mounted on this outer spindle is a nut 36 having two studs 38 engaging in grooves 27 in the extension 25, and two teeth 37 engaging in the spiral grooves 35. The nut is connected to the wipercarrying rod 17 and to a knob 16, the stem of which passes through slots in the arm 8 and extension 25. The upper end of the spindle 33 is provided with spring-pressed plungers 40 adapted for engagement in notches 48 formed in the nut 36. The lower end of the spindle 31 is provided with a bevel wheel 42 adapted to engage a bevel wheel 43 which is mounted one on each end of a rod 44 rotatable in a tube 45 carried by the member 3. The wheel 43 is spring-pressed so as to be maintained in engagement with the wheel 42. When the nut 36 associated with one arm 8 is moved upwardly, the spindle 33, and hence the spindle 31, is rotated, whereby, through the medium of the bevel wheels and the spindles associated with the other arm 8, the wiping pads 19 have similar movements. When the nut reaches the top of the spindle 33, the spindle is locked against rotary movement because of the spring-pressed plungers 40 and notches 48, and the stem 29 reaches the end of the slot on the extension 25. Further movement of the nut raises the extension 25 together with the spindle 33 now prevented from rotation. The teeth 34 on the spindle, however, cause the inner spindle 31 to rotate, such rotation effecting corresponding rotation of the other spindle 31 so that the wiping pads 19. continue to have similar movement. In a modification, for use on smaller windows, the outer spindles 33 are dispensed with, the nuts engaging in the grooves in the inner spindles. Each pad holder 18 may be mounted as shown in Fig. 11, in order to adjust itself to the corners of a sash. The holder is pivotally connected to the end of the rod 17 and is formed with tongues 51 adapted to engage the ends of a blade spring 52 secured to the rod.