Patent Abstract:
A cleaning device ( 100 ) for smooth surfaces, especially for cleaning windows. The inventive cleaning device comprises a handle ( 1 ) and a contact element ( 10 ) that is mounted on one end of said handle ( 1 ) and that extends in a substantially transversal direction to the handle ( 1 ). The contact element is provided with a cleaning surface element ( 4 ) on at least the one front face thereof that contacts the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning surface element can be wetted with a cleaning liquid in a controlled manner. A zone ( 5 ) is provided behind the cleaning surface element for the distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning liquid. The handle ( 1 ) is linked with a blade element ( 8 ) that is part of the contact element. The front face of said blade element is detachably linked with a direct removing element ( 7 ) that carries the cleaning surface element ( 4 ).

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cleaning device for smooth surfaces, especially for cleaning windows, with the following components: 
     A handgrip, 
     A contact element mounted on the end of the handgrip that essentially extends perpendicular to the handgrip, 
     And a cleaning surface element capable of being moistened and mounted on at least the front side coming in contact with the surface to be cleaned and provided with a cleaning fluid, and an output plate 
     Behind which is located an area for the distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning fluid, 
     And that the handgrip is shaped essentially as a cylindrical hollow body and serves as a reservoir for at least a portion of the cleaning fluid. 
     The German Patent No. DE 38 02 402 A1, discloses a cleaning device with a handgrip and a cleaning head that includes an output plate coming into contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
     The output plate forms a wall of the cleaning head. A surface cleaning element in the form of a sponge or numerous brush elements is mounted directly on the aperture plate. The cleaning fluid is supplied from an interior chamber of the cleaning head to the sponge or brush via the apertures of the aperture plate. The dosing is not controllable, however, so that the cleaning fluid may drip from the sponge, particularly when the cleaning device is pressed against the surface to be cleaned. Another disadvantage is that the surface cleaning element may be exchanged only together with the aperture plate, and perhaps together with a surrounding inserted frame. 
     Further, the German Patent No. DE 94 05 755.9 describes a device to clean window glass that also consists of a handgrip and a cleaning head. The cleaning head includes a water reservoir and a single output opening through which the cleaning fluid may be pumped into a cleaning sponge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide a handy, compact cleaning device in which dripping of the cleaning fluid supplied to the surface cleaning element may be avoided. 
     This object is achieved by the invention in that 
     The area for the distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning fluid includes an at least partially hollow, flat dirt-removing element with at least one capillary matrix distributing the cleaning fluid, whereby the cleaning surface element is mounted on the dirt-removing element so that it may be removed, 
     And that the contact element is provided with a recess in the region of its connection with the handgrip into which an actuation lever for a pump is at least partially inserted and by means of which the cleaning fluid may be supplied to the dirt-removing element. 
     It is essential to the invention that the cleaning fluid may be transferred via a manually operated pump into the dirt-removing element that forms a part of the area used for the distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning fluid. This area may be mounted directly to the dirt-removing element in the form of suitable capillary openings, slots, and/or channels. This distribution and temporary storage area for the cleaning fluid preferably consists of a capillary matrix worked into the output plate that matches corresponding slots of the dirt-removing element. This output plate is preferably arranged between a section of material forming the cleaning surface and the dirt-removing element. In a preferred embodiment, the material section forming the cleaning surface consists of a moisture-permeable textile or sponge-like material and is preferably so attached to the dirt-removing element (e.g., using a hook and loop closure) that both sides of it are useable. The material section may also be mounted as a hood on the output plate or on the dirt-removing element using clamps, a rubber band, or similar removable fastener. 
     The contact element may be formed as one piece with the handgrip, or may be attached to it by means of clamp, ratcheting element, or bayonet connectors so that it may be removed. 
     The handgrip serving as the reservoir for the cleaning fluid is preferably in the form of a cylindrical hollow body that is manufactured as one piece with the crosspiece, also hollow. 
     The handgrip may be attached via a swivel to the contact element or crosspiece and/or with a handle extension at the end opposite the crosspiece. 
    
    
     For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective view of a cleaning device in a first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled cleaning device as in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of the cleaning device seen from the rear in a perspective, disassembled view. 
     FIG. 4 shows a third preferred embodiment of the cleaning device in perspective view. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal view of the cleaning device as in FIG. 4, with a visible pump. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective, disassembled view of the cleaning device as in FIG.  4 . 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  show the cleaning device as in FIG. 4 in exploded view, seen from the front and rear, respectively. 
     FIGS. 8 a  to  8   c  show mounting options for the membrane element on a cleaning device. 
     FIG. 9 is a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning device with a swivel. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a bayonet mount for a cleaning device. 
     FIG. 11 shows how a cloth may be mounted as a hood on a cleaning device. 
     FIG. 12 shows a handle extension for a cleaning device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-12 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals. 
     FIGS. 1, and  2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7   a  and  7   b  show a compact cleaning device  100  and  300  that includes a handgrip  1  and a contact element  10 . The contact element  10  contains a surface-conforming cleaning surface element  4  on its front side facing the surface to be cleaned (not shown) that, in these embodiments, is made of a section  20  of a moisture-permeable material, in this case a fleece cloth made of micro-fibers, or of woven or knitted fabric, which is preferably dirt-absorbing on both sides. The element  4  includes a hook-and-loop hook section  65   a  on at least one side. One or more mating hook-and-loop sections  65   b  are attached to a partially-hollow, flat, rectangular dirt-remover  7  that contains a distribution line in its interior that leads to an area  5  used for distribution and temporary storage of a cleaning fluid. A detailed description of the area  5  follows based on FIGS. 5 through 7 b.    
     The handgrip  1  is formed as a hollow body with a hollow chamber  11  that serves as a reservoir for cleaning fluid. The handgrip  1  becomes a hollow, semi-cylindrical crosspiece  8  extending perpendicular to the handgrip, whose flat front side  22  is congruent and in contact with the rear side of the dirt-removing element  7 . 
     As FIG. 1 shows, the crosspiece  8  includes a centrally-located recess  15  to hold a piston pump  9 . The piston pump  9  is connected with the interior of the dirt-removing element  7  via a short tube. Further, a supply tube  43  is connected to the pump that extends from above into the hollow chamber  11 . 
     A relatively thin, springy actuation lever  21  is mounted on the rear side of the crosspiece  8  that may be depressed against a thickening  24 . The piston pump  9  is actuated by the lever  21 . Cleaning fluid located in the hollow chamber of the handgrip  1  is sucked up via a line  43  and forced into the dirt-removing element via a suitable valve control system. The cleaning fluid reaches the area of the surface cleaning element  4  via the small capillary apertures  30 . 1  . . .  30 .n. Further, a shaped squeegee strip  13 , preferably of synthetic rubber material, is mounted on an upper edge  17  of the dirt-removing element  7 . 
     When the cleaning device  100  is in assembled condition, the dirt-removing element  7  is connected with the crosspiece  8  so that it may ratchet. For this purpose, the dirt-removing element  7  includes two engaging elements  23  extending above its rear side (FIG. 1 shows only one engaging element  23 ) that may be tensioned and inserted into the recess  15  of the crosspiece  8 . 
     A second embodiment example (reference number  200 ) is shown in FIG.  3 . The design shown in the illustration is similar to that of the cleaning device  100 . One difference is that a C-shaped piece  27  mounted on two reinforced strips  25 ,  26  serves as the actuation lever for the piston pump  9  that may be gripped by the fingers of the hand gripping the handgrip. Otherwise, the pump function may be taken from the description of FIG.  1 . Reinforced strips  25 ,  26  and the C-shaped piece are left in a recess  15 . The reinforcing strips  25 ,  26  are firmly attached to the dirt-removing element  7 . 
     FIGS. 4 through 7 b  show a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device subject to the invention (reference number  300 ). A thin output plate  28  including a row of apertures or capillary matrix  19  for cleaning fluid is incorporated in the dirt-removing element  7  facing the material section  20 . The capillary matrix  19  consists of a row of capillary apertures  30 . 1  . . .  30 .n that run parallel to the upper edge  29  of the output plate  28 . The output plate  28  is also provided with a strip  31  extending above its flat side that engages in a slot  32  on the dirt-removing element  7  (see FIGS. 5 and 7 a ), and serves as a securing element for the squeegee strip  13 . A thickening  33  of the squeegee strip  13  is also pressed or inserted into the slot  32  (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). The output plate  28  is welded to the dirt-removing element  7  using ultra-sound. In another embodiment, the dirt-removing element  7  may also be glued to the output plate  28 . 
     Further, the dirt-removing element  7  includes an upper reinforced strip  40  extending above its entire width (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that extends at an angle into the previously-mentioned slot  32 . The reinforced strip  40  and the upper edge of the output plate  28  determine the position of the squeegee strip  13  inserted into the slot  32 . As FIG. 5 shows, the inclination angle of the squeegee strip  13  with respect to the cleaning surface  4  is about 45°. This arrangement ensures good support for the squeegee strip  13  that may be used or replaced. 
     FIG. 5 also shows with dotted lines a squeegee strip  13  folded back. In this embodiment, the squeegee strip  13  is supported in the slot  32  with the reinforced strip  40  removed so that it may swivel. The squeegee strip  13  may also be provided with staged double- or triple-squeegee edges, whereby such squeegee strips are arranged in the slot  32  so that they may move or swivel. 
     A slot  37  parallel to the upper edge  17  of the front side  36  of the dirt-removing element  7  may be seen that becomes a shorter slot section  38  reaching the center of the dirt-removing element  7 . This slot section  38  ends with a penetrating aperture  39 , by means of which the cleaning fluid may be pumped into the slot  37  and into the capillary matrix  19  covering it. The elements designated with  19 ,  37 ,  38 , and  39  form the area  5  used for distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning fluid. Suitable cleaning fluids are tap water, with or without additives such as common detergents, window glass cleaners, or biologically-degradable cleaners. 
     The pump  9  of the cleaning device  300  is positioned perpendicular to the flat side of the dirt-removing element  7  within a shell  41  (see FIG.  5 ). The pump  9  includes a cylindrical return spring  42  that is tensioned when the actuation lever  21  is pressed. Pressing down the actuation lever  21  causes the pump piston to move, so that the cleaning fluid is suctioned from the hollow chamber  11  of the handgrip  1 . As in a child&#39;s water pistol, repeated pressing on the actuation lever forces the cleaning fluid into the area of the capillary apertures, so that the cleaning fluid may flow into the cleaning surface element  4  and be distributed there without causing total saturation. If the cleaning surface element  4  is removed from the cleaning device, the capillary apertures are exposed. In this case, the cleaning device may also serve to spray cleaning fluid directly onto the surface to be cleaned, thereby moistening it. 
     The mechanism to transport the cleaning fluid to the cleaning surface may be simplified by the use of a simple membrane element  59  instead of a piston pump  9  that may be deformed by hand pressure, thus providing a pumping action. Such an embodiment of the cleaning device (reference number  400 ) is shown in FIGS. 8 a  through  8   c . FIG. 8 a  shows an oval rubber-type membrane element  59  that is arranged on the upper part of the handgrip  1 , in which a matching oval opening has been cut. 
     FIG. 8 b  shows a different embodiment example of a membrane element that is connected with the hollow body  11  of the handgrip  1  via a bellows element  58 . The membrane element  59  extends a little above the mantle surface of the hollow body  11  so that a correspondingly greater volume may be swept. 
     FIG. 8 c  shows another embodiment example of a membrane element that extends almost the entire length of the hollow body  11 , namely along its side facing the cleaning surface  4 . The membrane element is manufactured from plastic as one piece with the hollow body  11 , so that a part of the handgrip is elastically deformable while the remaining hollow body is rigid. 
     FIG. 9 shows another embodiment example of the cleaning device (reference number  500 ) in which the handgrip  1  is connected with the crosspiece  8  via a swivel element  55 . The swivel element  55  in this case consists of several plastic blades  56  that allow swiveling of the crosspiece  8  in practically all directions, as with a ball swivel. In such a cleaning device, both a piston pump  9  and a membrane element  59  may be used (not shown). 
     FIG. 10 shows schematically a special connection of the handgrip  1  with the crosspiece  8 . An outward projection  57  is mounted on the hollow body  11  that is compatible with an L-shaped slot  53  running into an opening  62  (in the thickening  24  of the crosspiece), forming a bayonet connection  60 . For this, a corresponding seal ring is of course provided (not shown). 
     FIG. 11 shows a fleece cloth  20  that is mounted as a hood on the dirt-removing element  7  by means of a surrounding rubber band  54  so that it may be removed. 
     In order to simplify operation of the cleaning device based on the invention, for example during cleaning of a glass roof of a greenhouse, the handgrip  1  is connected via an adapter  71  with a telescoping variable-length handle extension  70  (see FIG.  12 ). The adapter  71  fits over the lower end  52  of the handgrip, and is clamped there. The handle extension  70  including a flexible joint is screwed into the adapter  71  (thread  72 ). The handle extension  70  may also be screwed into an internal thread  64  (see FIG. 5) on the lower end  52  (end piece) of the handgrip, or within the handgrip. 
     There has thus been shown and described a novel cleaning device which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0