Patent Publication Number: US-10759346-B1

Title: Side-view mirror cleaner

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of transportation and vehicles, more specifically, a method for cleaning an optical viewing arrangement of a rear-view mirror mounted on the exterior of a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The side-view mirror cleaner is a cleaning tool. The side-view mirror cleaner is configured for use with a vehicle. The vehicle is further defined with a rear-view mirror mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. The side-view mirror cleaner cleans the rear-view mirror. The side-view mirror cleaner comprises a cleaning head, a latching blade, a handle, a dispenser, and a cap. The cleaning head contains the working portion of the side-view mirror cleaner that cleans the rear-view mirror. The cleaning head is interchangeable. The latching blade attaches the handle to the cleaning head. The handle is an extension structure. The dispenser is a device that applies a cleaning fluid to the rear-view mirror. The dispenser attaches to the handle. The cap is a closure that encloses the dispenser. The cap attaches to the dispenser. 
     These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the side-view mirror cleaner will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the side-view mirror cleaner in detail, it is to be understood that the side-view mirror cleaner is not limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the side-view mirror cleaner. 
     It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the side-view mirror cleaner. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear-view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 11 . 
     The side view mirror  202  cleaner  100  (hereinafter invention) is a cleaning tool. The invention  100  is configured for use with a vehicle  201 . The vehicle  201  is further defined with a rear-view mirror  202  mounted on the exterior of the vehicle  201 . The invention  100  cleans the rear-view mirror  202 . The invention  100  comprises a cleaning head  101 , a latching blade  102 , a handle  103 , a dispenser  104 , and a cap  105 . The cleaning head  101  contains the working portion of the invention  100  that cleans the rear-view mirror  202 . The cleaning head  101  is interchangeable. The latching blade  102  attaches the handle  103  to the cleaning head  101 . The handle  103  is an extension structure. The dispenser  104  is a device that applies a cleaning fluid to the rear-view mirror  202 . The dispenser  104  attaches to the handle  103 . The cap  105  is a closure that encloses the dispenser  104 . The cap  105  attaches to the dispenser  104 . 
     The cleaning head  101  is the element of the invention  100  used to clean the rear-view mirror  202  of the vehicle  201 . The cleaning head  101  is an interchangeable structure that attaches to the handle  103  using the latching blade  102 . The cleaning head  101  comprises a working element  111 , a mounting pyramid  112 , a mounting slot  113 , and a latch hole  114 . The cleaning head  101  is further defined with a first end  181  and a second end  182 . The first end  181  is the base of the truncated pyramid structure of the working element  111 . The second end  182  is the truncated apex of the truncated pyramid structure of the working element  111 . 
     The mounting pyramid  112  is a truncated pyramid-shaped structure. The working element  111  attaches to the base of the truncated pyramid shape of the mounting pyramid  112 . The working element  111  is the element of the cleaning head  101  that physically cleans the rear-view mirror  202  of the vehicle  201 . The working element  111  is selected from the group consisting of a microfiber cleaning structure  151 , a squeegee  152 , and a scraper  153 . The working element  111  mounts on the first end  181  of the mounting pyramid  112 . The base of the truncated pyramid shape of the mounting pyramid  112  is formed with a bevel relative to the center axis of the truncated pyramid. This bevel allows for the adjustment of the angle of attack of the working element. 
     The microfiber cleaning structure  151  is a water absorbent structure configured to rub the rear-view mirror  202  of the vehicle  201  during the cleansing process. The microfiber cleaning structure  151  is a well-known and documented device that is defined in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure. The microfiber cleaning structure  151  further comprises a hinge  115 . The hinge  115  is a pivoting structure that attaches the microfiber cleaning structure  151  to the mounting pyramid  112  such that the microfiber cleaning structure  151  will rotate relative to the mounting pyramid  112 . 
     The squeegee  152  is a bladed structure designed to remove fluids from the rear-view mirror  202  of the vehicle  201 . The squeegee  152  is a well-known and documented device that is defined in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure. 
     The scraper  153  is a rigid structure designed to scrape off objects that are adhered to the rear-view mirror  202  of the vehicle  201 . The scraper  153  is a well-known and documented device that is defined in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure. 
     The mounting slot  113  is a negative space formed in the truncated apex of the pyramid shape of the working element  111 . The latching blade  102  inserts into the mounting slot  113  to attach the handle  103  to the cleaning head  101 . 
     The latch hole  114  is an aperture formed from the exterior surface of the working element  111  to the mounting slot  113 . The latch hole  114  forms a portion of a latching structure that secures the latching blade  102  to the cleaning head  101 . 
     The latching blade  102  is a structure that mounts on the handle  103 . The latching blade  102  inserts into the cleaning head  101  such that the cleaning head  101  removably attaches to the handle  103 . The latching blade  102  comprises a latch block  121  and a spring post  122 . The latching blade  102  is further defined with a third end  183  and a fourth end  184 . The third end  183  is the free end of the latch block  121 . The fourth end  184  is the fixed end of the latch block  121 . 
     The latch block  121  is a rectangular block structure. The latch block  121  forms a plate structure. The fourth end  184  of the latch block  121  attaches to the fifth end  185  of the handle  103  in the manner of a cantilever. The third end  183  of the latch block  121  inserts into the mounting slot  113  located in the second end  182  of the cleaning head  101 . 
     The spring post  122  is a spring loaded shaft structure that attaches to the latch block  121 . The spring post  122  projects away from the latch block  121 . The spring post  122  inserts through the latch hole  114  to secure the latching blade  102  to the cleaning head  101 . The spring loading of the spring post  122  is configured to allow the spring post  122  removably attach the latch block  121  to the mounting slot  113  of the cleaning head  101 . 
     Methods to make a latch described by the latch hole  114  and the spring post  122  are well-known and documented in the mechanical arts. 
     The handle  103  forms a grip that allows for the manipulation of the invention  100 . The handle  103  is an extension structure that increases the span of the distance between the latching blade  102  and the dispenser  104 . The handle  103  comprises a handle block  131 , a flare  132 , and a first interior screw thread  171 . The handle  103  is further defined with a fifth end  185  and a sixth end  186 . The fifth end  185  is the end of the handle  103  that attaches to the latch block  121 . The sixth end  186  is the end of the handle  103  that is distal from the fifth end  185 . 
     The first interior screw thread  171  is an interior screw thread of a threaded connection. The first interior screw thread  171  is formed on the sixth end  186  of the handle  103 . The first exterior screw thread  161  screws into the first interior screw thread  171  to attach the bottle  141  to the handle  103 . 
     The handle block  131  is a roughly prism-shaped structure. The prism structure of the handle block  131  is flared  132  such that the surface area of the fifth end  185  of the handle block  131  is greater than the sixth end  186  of the handle block  131 . Specifically, the flare  132  is a curvature formed in the lateral face of the handle block  131  that broadens the diameter of the handle  103  at the fifth end  185  of the handle  103 . 
     The dispenser  104  is a mechanical device. The dispenser  104  stores a cleaning fluid. The dispenser  104  dispenses the cleaning fluid on the rear-view mirror of the vehicle. The dispenser  104  screws on to the handle  103 . The dispenser  104  comprises a bottle  141 , a universal pump  142 , a first exterior screw thread  161 , and a second exterior screw thread  162 . The dispenser  104  is further defined with a seventh end  187  and an eighth end  188 . The seventh end  187  is the end of the dispenser  104  that is distal from the universal pump  142 . The eighth end  188  is the end of the dispenser  104  that is distal from the seventh end  187 . The eighth end  188  is the neck end of the bottle  141  of the dispenser  104 . 
     The bottle  141  is a container used to store the cleaning fluid dispensed by the dispenser  104 . The seventh end  187  of the bottle  141  attaches to the sixth end  186  of the handle block  131 . The universal pump  142  is a spray pump that installs in the bottle  141 . The universal pump  142  pumps the cleaning fluid out of the bottle  141  on to the rear-view mirror of the vehicle. 
     The first exterior screw thread  161  is an exterior screw thread of a threaded connection. The first exterior screw thread  161  is formed on the seventh end  187  of the bottle  141  of the dispenser  104 . The second exterior screw thread  162  is an exterior screw thread of a threaded connection. The second exterior screw thread  162  is formed on the eighth end  188  of the bottle  141  of the dispenser  104 . 
     The cap  105  is a capped tube. The cap  105  is an enclosure that encloses the dispenser  104  such that the dispenser  104  will not dispense the working fluid unintentionally. The cap  105  screws on to the dispenser  104 . The cap  105  further comprises a second interior screw thread  172 . The cap  105  is further defined with a ninth end  189  and a tenth end  190 . The second interior screw thread  172  is an interior screw thread of a threaded connection. The second interior screw thread  172  is formed on the ninth end  189  of the cap  105 . The second exterior screw thread  162  screws into the second interior screw thread  172  to attach the cap  105  to the bottle  141  of the dispenser  104 . The ninth end  189  is the open end of the cap  105 . The tenth end  190  is the closed end of the cap  105 . 
     The following definitions were used in this disclosure: 
     Blade: As used in this disclosure, a blade is a term that is used to describe a wide and flat structure or portion of a structure larger structure such as a propeller. 
     Bottle: As used in this disclosure, a bottle is a container used for the storage of fluids. Access to the interior of a bottle is gained through the neck of the bottle. The neck is an elongated tube that forms an aperture through which fluids can be introduced and removed from the bottle. 
     Cantilever: As used in this disclosure, a cantilever is a beam or other structure that projects away from an object and is supported on only one end. A cantilever is further defined with a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is the end of the cantilever that is attached to the object. The free end is the end of the cantilever that is distal from the fixed end. 
     Capped Tube: As used in this disclosure, a capped tube is a tube with one closed end and one open end. 
     Extension Structure: As used in this disclosure, an extension structure is an inert physical structure that is used to extend the span of the distance between any two objects. 
     Exterior Screw Thread: An exterior screw thread is a ridge wrapped around the outer surface of a tube in the form of a helical structure that is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement. 
     Flare: As used in this disclosure, a flare is a curvature that is formed in a structure. Specifically, a flare refers to a gradual curvature in a direction away from a plane or axis defined by the structure. This definition is intended to include rectilinear structures that form an angle to an axis of symmetry. 
     Fluid: As used in this disclosure, a fluid refers to a state of matter wherein the matter is capable of flow and takes the shape of a container it is placed within. The term fluid commonly refers to a liquid or a gas. 
     Hinge: As used in this disclosure, a hinge is a device that permits the turning, rotating, or pivoting of a first object relative to a second object. 
     Interior Screw Thread: An interior screw thread is a groove that is formed around the inner surface of a tube in the form of a helical structure that is used to convert rotational movement into linear movement. 
     Latch: As used in this disclosure, a latch is a fastening or locking mechanism. The use of the term latch does not necessarily but often implies the insertion of an object into a notch or cavity. 
     Liquid: As used in this disclosure, a liquid refers to a state (phase) of matter that is fluid and that maintains, for a given pressure, a fixed volume that is independent of the volume of the container. 
     Microfiber Yarn: As used in this disclosure, a yarn is said to be a microfiber yarn when the average number of filaments or fibers contained in a cross-section of the yarn is greater than the denier of the yarn. Stated differently, a microfiber yarn is a yarn made from fibers or filaments with an average fineness, as measured by denier, of less than one denier. Please note: This definition is similar to but differs from the definition of microfiber yarn that is generally accepted in the textile industry. This definition is preferred in this disclosure because of the relative simplicity of the definition and because the difference between the two definitions has little commercial or practical relevance. 
     Microfiber Textile: As used in this disclosure, a microfiber textile is a textile that is formed from microfiber yarns. 
     Negative Space: As used in this disclosure, negative space is a method of defining an object through the use of open or empty space as the definition of the object itself, or, through the use of open or empty space to describe the boundaries of an object. 
     N-gon: As used in this disclosure, an N-gon is a regular polygon with N sides wherein N is a positive integer number greater than 2. 
     Pivot: As used in this disclosure, a pivot is a rod or shaft around which an object rotates or swings. 
     Plate: As used in this disclosure, a plate is a smooth, flat and semi-rigid or rigid structure that has at least one dimension that: a) is of uniform thickness; and b) that appears thin relative to the other dimensions of the object. Plates often have a rectangular or disk like appearance. The face of the plate is a surface of the plate selected from the group consisting of: a) the surface of the plate with the greatest surface area; b) the surface of the plate that is distal from the surface of the plate with the greatest surface area. The edges of the plate comprise the surfaces of the plate that would not be considered faces as defined above. As defined in this disclosure, plates may be made of any material, but are commonly made of metal, plastic, and wood. When made of wood, a plate is often referred to as a board. 
     Post: As used in this disclosure, a post is a shaft that is: 1) set into a surface; and 2) provides a supporting structure that is perpendicular to the surface. 
     Prism: As used in this disclosure, a prism is a three-dimensional geometric structure wherein: 1) the form factor of two faces of the prism are congruent; and, 2) the two congruent faces are parallel to each other. The two congruent faces are also commonly referred to as the ends of the prism. The surfaces that connect the two congruent faces are called the lateral faces. In this disclosure, when further description is required a prism will be named for the geometric or descriptive name of the form factor of the two congruent faces. If the form factor of the two corresponding faces has no clearly established or well-known geometric or descriptive name, the term irregular prism will be used. The center axis of a prism is defined as a line that joins the center point of the first congruent face of the prism to the center point of the second corresponding congruent face of the prism. The center axis of a prism is otherwise analogous to the center axis of a cylinder. A prism wherein the ends are circles is commonly referred to as a cylinder. 
     Pump: As used in this disclosure, a pump is a mechanical device that uses suction or pressure to raise or move fluids, compress fluids, or force a fluid into an inflatable object. Within this disclosure, a compressor refers to a pump dedicated to compressing a fluid or placing a fluid under pressure. 
     Pyramid: As used in this disclosure, a pyramid is a three-dimensional shape that comprises a base formed in the shape of an N-gon (wherein N is an integer) with N triangular faces that rise from the base to converge at a point above the base. If the point where the N faces meet is positioned such that a line drawn from the point where the N faces meet to the center of the N-gon base is perpendicular to the N-gon base, the pyramid is referred to as a right pyramid. Pyramids can be further formed with circular or elliptical bases which are commonly referred to as cone or an elliptical pyramid respectively. A pyramid is defined with a base, an apex, and a lateral face. The base is the N-gon shaped base described above. The apex is the convergence point described above. The lateral face is formed from the N triangular faces described above. 
     Rectangular Block: As used in this disclosure, a rectangular block refers to a three-dimensional structure comprising six rectangular surfaces (commonly called faces) formed at right angles. Within this disclosure, a rectangular block may further comprise rounded edges and corners. 
     Screw: As used in this disclosure, to screw is a verb meaning: 1) to fasten or unfasten (unscrew) a threaded connection; or 2) to attach a helical structure to a solid structure. 
     Spray: As used in this disclosure, a spray is a plurality of liquid drops dispersed in a gas. 
     Spray Nozzle: As used in this disclosure, a spray nozzle is a device that receives liquid under pressure and disperses that liquid into the atmosphere as a spray. 
     Spring: As used in this disclosure, a spring is a device that is used to store mechanical energy. This mechanical energy will often be stored by: 1) deforming an elastomeric material that is used to make the device; 2) the application of a torque to a semi-rigid structure; or 3) a combination of the previous two items. 
     Squeegee: As used in this disclosure, a squeegee is a tool formed with a rubber-edged crosspiece used for removing water from a window. 
     Textile: As used in this disclosure, a textile is a material that is woven, knitted, braided or felted. Synonyms in common usage for this definition include fabric and cloth. 
     Threaded Connection: As used in this disclosure, a threaded connection is a type of fastener that is used to join a first tube-shaped and a second tube-shaped object together. The first tube-shaped object is fitted with a first fitting selected from an interior screw thread or an exterior screw thread. The second tube-shaped object is fitted with the remaining screw thread. The tube-shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is placed into the remaining tube-shaped object such that: 1) the interior screw thread and the exterior screw thread interconnect; and, 2) when the tube-shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread is rotated the rotational motion is converted into linear motion that moves the tube-shaped object fitted with the exterior screw thread either into or out of the remaining tube-shaped object. The direction of linear motion is determined by the direction of rotation. 
     Tool: As used in this disclosure, a tool is a device, an apparatus, or an instrument that is used to carry out an activity, operation, or procedure. 
     Truncated: As used in this disclosure, a geometric object is truncated when an apex, vertex, or end is cut off by a line or plane. 
     Truncated Pyramid: As used in this disclosure, a truncated pyramid is a frustum that remains when the apex of a pyramid is truncated by a plane that is parallel to the base of the pyramid. 
     Tube: As used in this disclosure, the term tube is used to describe a rigid hollow prism with two open ends. While tubes that are suitable for use in this disclosure are often used to transport or conveys fluids or gases, the purpose of the tubes in this disclosure are structural. In this disclosure, the terms inner dimension and the outer dimension of a tube are used as they would be used by those skilled in the plumbing arts. 
     Universal Dispenser Pump: As used in this disclosure, a universal dispenser pump is a pump that is used to pump a liquid out of a bottle. The universal dispenser pump is a well-known and documented commercially available product that is often referred to as a soap pump or a shampoo pump. 
     Working Element: As used in this disclosure, the working element of a tool is the physical element on the tool that performs the actual activity, operation, or procedure the tool is designed to perform. For example, the cutting edge of a blade is the working element of a knife. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and in  FIGS. 1  through  11  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 invention. 
     It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.