Patent Publication Number: US-2004049872-A1

Title: Mechanical cleaning system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The subject invention relates to a mechanical cleaning system for transparent material. More particularly, the subject invention relates to a mechanical cleaning system for cleaning the inside of a face shield by moving a magnet across the shield.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002] It is known in the art that the humidity in the air will condensate and fog a transparent material when temperatures of the transparent material is sufficiently different from the contacting air. This event of nature causes considerable difficulties when such physical conditions come m contact with a transparent material that an operator is trying to see through. In such cases, the transparent material on which surface the condensation is collecting must be cleaned. In some uses of transparent material, both surfaces must be repeatedly cleaned in order to see through the transparent material.  
       [0003] One of the most annoying fogging situations that adversely affects operators is in fire fighting equipment having filtered breathing apparatus. In these helmets, the mask fits tightly to the operators face and it is difficult and often dangerous to take off the mask and clean the inside thereof.  
       [0004] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the heretofore problems, as set forth above.  
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] In one aspect of the invention, a mechanical cleaning system is provided for cleaning transparent material. The system has a following element, a controlling element, and a cleaning material. The elements each have a first side. The cleaning material is connected to the first side of one of the elements. One of the elements is a magnet and the other element is formed of metal.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the apparatus of this invention;  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the first ends of the elements showing cleaning material on one of the elements; and  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the first ends of the elements showing cleaning materials of different types on the elements.  
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
     [0009] Referring to FIG. 1 the mechanical cleaning system  2  of this invention is provided for simultaneously cleaning opposed surfaces of a transparent material  4 , such as a face or eye shield. The system has a following element  6  and a controlling element  8 . The following element  6  has first and second sides  10 ,  12  and a thickness  14 . The controlling element has first and second sides  16 ,  18 , a thickness  20  greater than the thickness  14  of the following element  6  and a handle  22  formed on said second side  18 . At least one of the elements  6  or  8  is a magnet and the other element is a metal of a type that is attracted to the magnet.  
     [0010] Referring to FIG. 2, A cleaning material  24  is connected to the first side  10  or  16  of at least one element  6  or  8 . As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning material  24  is connected to both of the elements  6 ,  8  and FIG. 4, shows a system wherein the cleaning materials  24 ,  24 ′ are of different compositions.  
     [0011] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning material  24  of both of the elements  6 ,  8  is Nomex (Trademark) fire resistant cloth. Different materials that may be used is a chemical resistant material such as high temperature resistant rubber or organic plastic, or an absorbing material, such as cotton, for example.  
     [0012] It should be understood that the only limitation on the cleaning material used in this invention is that the cleaning material should remove the fogging material expected to be encountered. For this reason, one skilled in the art will realize that the material used on a transparent face shield of a welder for fire fighter, which may include ash and water one the outside surface and only water on the inside surface, which may be different than the face shield of a motorcycle helmet which may have mud and water on the outside surface and only water on the inside surface. Once the use of the system is determined, it is an effort of no inventive nature to select the preferred cleaning material for the system.  
     [0013] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a handle  22  is connected to the second side of the controlling element and is of knob construction adapted for gripping by the hand of a person. It is also preferred that the thickness  14  of the following element  6  be less than about ½ inch. Greater than about ½ inch is undesirable because the following element may then undesirably strike the users face during cleaning functions. It is also preferred that the area of the first sides  10 ,  16  of the magnets  6 ,  8  be less than about 1¼ square inches. Greater than about 1¼ square inches and the system will often interfere with the vision of the user.  
     [0014] In order that the elements  6 ,  8  remain adjacent each other on opposed sides of a transparent material under sometimes severe impact and during use, it is preferred that the attractive power force of the magnet or magnets  6 ,  8  urge the elements toward one another with a force greater than about 12 pounds.  
     [0015] It should be understood that the cleaning system  2  of this invention can be used for cleaning any transparent material without departing from this invention and the face and eye shields are listed only for exemplary purposes.  
     Industrial Applicability  
     [0016] The mechanical cleaning system of this invention are adapted for use in simultaneously cleaning opposing surfaces of a transparent material. In the use of the system  2 , for simultaneously cleaning condensation and contamination from the inside and outside of the transparent face shield of a fire fighting helmet having breathing apparatus, one of the elements  6  or  8  is position on the inside of the transparent material there being held by the magnetic force of the adjacent other element which is positioned on the opposite side of the transparent material. The cleaning material is connected on the first side of one of the elements in contact with the transparent material to be cleaned.  
     [0017] The system will be maintained in a convenient location by their magnetic attraction. When the operator desires to clean the transparent material  4 , he will grasp the handle  22  of the controlling element  8  and move it across the area desired to be cleaned, thereby responsively moving the cleaning material of the following element  6  in contact with the inside of the transparent material  4 . Where cleaning material is provided on both controlling and following elements, both surfaces of the transparent are simultaneously cleaned.  
     [0018] Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.