Abstract:
A scrubber for lap siding with a profile complementary to the profile of the boards in the lap siding such that when the scrubber is moved side to side in a washing action, an exposed side face and under surface of the siding boards are effectively scrubbed and dirt, dust, mildew, mold and algae are effectively removed.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/143,013, filed Jun. 20, 2008, now abandoned, for Scrubber Adapted for Cleaning a Side Face and an Under Surface Of Lap Siding and claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/253,689, filed Oct. 21, 2009, for Scrubber for Scrubbing Siding. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a scrubber for washing the exposed side face and the under surface of lap siding. By “under surface” is meant the bottom edge surface of an over-lapping board or siding extrusion panel. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Lap siding, also known as clapboard, bevel siding or weather-board (with regional variants as to the exact definitions of these terms), is a board or extrusion panel typically used for exterior horizontal siding that sometimes has one edge thicker than the other where the board above laps over the one below (or, in the case of vinyl siding extrusions, appears to lap over the board below). The siding is a weather barrier to the exterior walls of a frame home, building or structure. In newer construction lap siding is made of vinyl, aluminum or fiber cement. In the case of extruded siding, the siding panels may have a profile of one or more “boards.” 
     Trees and bushes produce airborne sugars that may drift through the wind and stick to the lap siding. This nearly invisible layer of sugar is a food source for mildew, mold and algae, colonies of which are particularly likely to grow on the shady side of a building. Dust and dirt can also stick to the siding, creating a dull or dirty appearance and serving as a food source for some mildews, molds and algae. 
     Lap siding is designed to shed water falling from the sky, not water that is shot up into the overlap seam so that power washing may not be a recommended way to clean lap siding. In addition, power washing, without mechanical agitation, may not be totally effective. 
     Until the present invention, the best way to clean lap siding such as vinyl siding was with a soft brush on a pole, such as sold for cleaning the sides of RVs or windows. The brush is dipped in a cleaning solution and an area of the siding is scrubbed, working from top to bottom or bottom to top, and then rinsed with clear water. One problem with RV type brushes, however, is that the bristles bend around the siding are ineffective at reaching and cleaning the under surface of the lap siding. If this dirt is not removed the siding remains dirty and mildew, mold or algae tends to grow back quickly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scrubber for washing lap siding in a manner that both the face and the under surface of the overlapping boards or siding extrusions is reached. It is another object to provide a scrubber for washing lap siding that effectively removes dust and dirt on the under surface of the overlapping boards such that mildew, mold and algae do not quickly recolonize. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     In accordance with the invention, a scrubber designed for cleaning lap siding. The scrubber in major part includes an elongated base, a handle and a removable, generally rectangular scrubbing cover or pad. The handle is pivotally connected to the elongated base centrally thereof. In a first embodiment, the elongated base has a bottom surface complementary to the profile of the side and under surfaces of the lap siding. In use a working face of the cover follows the contours of the elongated base. In a second embodiment, the elongated based has a generally flat bottom surface and the pad has a working face complementary to the profile of the side and under surfaces of the lap siding. 
     For efficiencies in washing, the elongated base preferably has a length such that it overlaps at least a double row of boards. In use, light to moderate forward and upward pressure is applied to the scrubber at an upward angle against the siding to fit the profile of the base or pad to the siding profile being cleaned which causes the cover or the pad to contact the entire siding surface against which the scrubber is pressed. 
     The invention summarized above comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated, corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a first scrubber in accordance with the present invention in use cleaning a lap siding; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation showing the profile of an extruded vinyl double 5 lap siding and the complementary profile of a bottom surface of the first scrubber; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation showing the profile of an extruded vinyl double 4 lap siding and the complementary profile of the elongated base; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation showing the profile of an extruded vinyl dutchlap double 4.5 siding and the complementary profile of the elongated base; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the elongated base with a pivotally attached handle being inserted into a cover; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an elastic band being secured around a blunt lower end of the elongated base; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the elongated base seated in the cover and secured with the elastic band; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a closure means for closing the cover over the elongated base; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the elongated base in the cover with the cover partially broken away to show the elastic band for latching the elongated base securely in the cover; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a working pole detached from the handle which is pivotally attached to the elongated base; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation of a second scrubber in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is perspective view of the second scrubber with a scrubbing pad in use on extruded dutchlap style vinyl siding; traditionally style lap siding being similar; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating the scrubbing pad separated from the elongated base to which it is attached; 
         FIG. 13A  is a cross-section on an enlarged scale, partially broken away and taken along the plane of  13 A- 13 A in  FIG. 13 ; and, 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation partially in section showing a two-way pivot joint for attachment of a pole. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     First Scrubber 
     Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference number, reference numeral  10  refers to a first scrubber adapted to cleaning a lap siding  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , lap siding  12  is formed from a plurality of overlapping boards  14  each with a side surface  16  and an under surface  18 . Boards  14  may be formed of wood, vinyl, aluminum or fiber cement and may have different profiles. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the profile is that of Alcoa Silhouette Classic Double 5 lap extruded vinyl siding  12 . In  FIG. 3 , the profile illustrated is Alcoa Silhouette Classic 4 and in  FIG. 4  the profile is that of Alcoa Silhouette Classic Dutchlap Double 4.5. The term “double lap” indicates that the extruded siding simulates two boards, while the number (e.g., “5″” in the case of Classic Double 5) refers to the width of each board. While specific profiles are shown in the drawings, it will be understood that scrubber  10  may be adapted to cleaning other lap siding profile  12  and to siding manufactured by other companies. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2-5 , scrubber  10  includes an elongated base  20  which may be formed of wood, metal or polymer construction such as PVC. Elongated base  20  has a bottom surface  22 , a top surface  24 , sidewalls  26  and generally blunt upper and lower ends  28 ,  30  respectively, with side and end edges rounded if desired. As illustrated, elongated base  20  may be about 12-18 inches long and about 1 inch wide such that upper and lower ends  28 ,  30  of elongated base  20  overlap a double run of lap siding  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Elongated base  20  may be longer such that it overlaps three or more of boards  14  but at some length scrubber  10  may become unwieldy to operate on a pole  32  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Shorter lengths may also be used. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , it is seen that bottom surface  22  of elongated base  20  has a profile complementary to the profile of lap siding  12  for full contact with side surface  16  and under surface  18  of boards  14 . A handle  34  is pivotally connected to elongated base  20  centrally thereof. As shown in the drawings, pivot  36  is transverse a long axis of elongated base  20  and includes a plate  38  attached to top surface  24  of elongated base  20  with handle  34  pivoted on a pin  40  connecting a pair of ears  42  attached to plate  38 . In the form illustrated, plate  38  and ears  42  are integrally molded and attached to elongated base  20  with screws or other conventional fastening means. In some embodiments, pivot  36  and elongated base  20  may be integrally formed. Handle  34  and pivot  36 , like elongated base  20 , may be formed by cutting or otherwise from wood, metal or polymer such as PVC. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 10 , an end of handle  34  opposite pivot  36  may be both male  44  and female  46  threaded for receiving and operably securing a correspondingly threaded male or female threaded end of working pole  32 . Pole  32  may be fixed or telescoping and may be of wood, metal or polymer construction. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , pole  32  is male threaded  44 . 
     A generally rectangular cover  48  shown in  FIG. 1  is removable mounted on elongated base  20  as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 . Cover  48  comprises an integral fold of cover material with the fold positioned under bottom surface  22  of elongated base  20 . The material used for cover  48  may be a micro fiber fleece on a mesh backing such as used for window scrubbers, terry cloth, chamois, or the like. Cover material preferably has a nubby or otherwise textured surface and sponge-like characteristics for more effective cleaning of lap siding  12 . Cover  48  has first and second side edges  50 ,  52  extending between the fold and top surface  24  of elongated base  20 . First and second side edges  50 ,  52  are permanently secured together by fusing, with stitches or the like. Cover  48  forms an envelope with an opening  54  along an edge opposite the fold to permit installation and removal of cover  48  as illustrated in a sequence of steps illustrated in  FIGS. 5  though  9 . Opening  54  is permanently secured together as shown in  FIGS. 7-9  between first side edge  50  and handle  34  by fusing, with stitches or the like. A closure means  56  such as hook and pile fabric (e.g., VELCRO), snaps, hooks or other conventional fasteners may be used for closing the envelope about elongated base  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , blunt upper end  28  of elongated base  20  with teeth  58  on bottom surface  22  upwardly directed is inserted in cover  48  under closed end of opening  54 . An elastic band  60  ( FIGS. 6-7  and  9 ) may be provided on the inside of cover  48  below closure means  56  into which blunt lower end  30  of elongated base  20  may be slipped as shown in  FIG. 6 . With elongated base  20  seated in envelope, male and female mating members (i.e., hook and pile VELCRO closure means  56 ) may be deployed as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to close envelope about elongated base  20  with elongated base  20  securely lashed within the envelope under elastic band  60 . 
     Prior to using scrubber  10 , lap siding  12  should be wetted down with a regular garden hose equipped with a nozzle. It is desirable to set the nozzle to a medium misting spray such that water is not driven behind the siding, particularly in the case of vinyl siding which may not be backed with a waterproof membrane. Scrubber  10  may then be wetted by dipping it into a bucket of cleaning solution. 
     Starting from the top, a section of lap siding  12  is worked, moving scrubber  10  from side to side at a steady pace. As seen in  FIG. 1 , cover  48  conforms to elongated base  20  whose flat bottom surface  22  is complementary to side and under surfaces  16 ,  18  of lap siding  12  such that dirt, mildew, mold and algae are loosened from all the surfaces. Before the cleaning solution dries on the siding, the area just worked is rinsed with clear water. Work is then continued until the bottom of the wall is reached, alternately scrubbing and rinsing with clear water all the way down to prevent streaks. 
     Another section of lap siding  12  is then preliminarily wetted with water and the process repeated until the entire area to be cleaned has been scrubbed. 
     Second Scrubber 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 11-14 , second scrubber  62  has a flat backing plate  64  and a handle  66  pivotably connected to the backing plate. Backing plate  64  has a bottom surface  68  and a top surface  70  and is preferably sized in length such that it overlaps a double run of lap siding  12 . Backing plate  64  may be longer such that it overlaps three or more boards  14  (as with triple  3  vinyl siding) but at some length it may become unwieldy to operate. In other instances where boards  14  have six to seven inch laps, backing plate  64  may be sized to cover only side surface  16  plus under surface  18  of an upper board. As illustrated, but not limited thereby, backing plate  64  is about 3½ inches wide and 9 to 10 inches long. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , a double swivel joint assembly  72  is attached to top surface  70  of backing plate  64 . Double swivel joint assembly  72  has a vertical swivel joint  74  and a horizontal swivel joint  76 . Vertical swivel joint  74  allows rotation of backing plate  64  about axis Y from side to side and horizontal swivel joint  76  allows rotation of backing plate  64  about axis X up and down. Double swivel joint assembly  72  may be provided with female threads  46  to fit any standard threaded pole and/or male threads (not shown). Horizontal swivel joint  76  may be restricted from moving freely, which may be done by friction, spring-loaded tabs in slots, or as shown, by a spring biased tongue  78  and ridges  80  for holding the pivot in a selected position and permitting a user to easily change the pivot position to the next ridge  80  or position. With other commercially available double swivel joint assemblies  72  no special provision is made for restricting either of swivel joints  74 ,  76 . 
     A scrubbing pad  82  is attached to bottom surface  68  of backing plate  64 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , bottom surface  68  may include a plurality of fingers or barbs  84  which are designed to latch into scrubbing pad  82 . Additionally or alternatively, slides, clips, elastic string and other attachments may be employed to releasably secure scrubbing pad  82  to bottom surface  68  of backing plate  64 . Fingers or barbs  84  may be integrally formed with backing plate  64  or separately formed and attached thereto. 
     Scrubbing pad  82  is formed of an open cell natural or synthetic sponge rubber that keeps its shape and is not affected by cleaners or bleach. Closed cell sponge materials are not preferred because they tend to suction attach to side surface  16  of lap siding  12 . One suitable reticulated open cell sponge is formed from polyester. Other types of open cell synthetic rubber sponges may be used including those formed from butyl, urethane, vinyl and so forth. With polyester open cell sponge, larger open cells create more friction/drag than small cells. Too small cells, however, may not provide an aggressive enough scrubbing action. A balance between drag and abrasiveness with open cell sponges has been found when the cell count is between about 2 and 25 ppi (pores per linear inch), more preferably between about 8 and 20 ppi. In the case of open cell polyester sponges in particular, very good results have been obtained when the cell count was between about 12 and 18 ppi. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , scrubbing pad  82  has a bottom surface  86  that conforms to the profile of lap siding  12 . As illustrated, scrubbing pad  82  is about ¾ to 1½ inches thick at its thickest point depending on lap depth. On boards  14  with a rougher textured surface, scrubbing pad  82  may need to be thinner to compensate for the overturning moment on the pad. As a rule of thumb, good results are obtained when scrubbing pad  82  is about ⅝ to ½ inch thicker than under surface  18 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 11 , it is seen that a plurality of projections or wiping fingers  88  on bottom surface  86  are angled upwardly. This is compensates for differences in the depth of under surface  18  between siding manufacturers or brands. Projections  88  preferably have a length such that a tip end of the projection contacts the maximum expected depth of under surface  18  and a root end of the projection is the minimum expected depth. Thus when scrubbing pad  82  is formed of a compressive open cell sponge, under surface  18  of lap siding  12  is cleaned, irrespective of the depth of lap. 
     In use, second scrubber  62  may be used without attachment to a pole for low areas that can be reached by holding the scrubber by handle  66 . With a pole attached, a user can clean up to a 10 foot wide area from one position due to the two-way action of double swivel joint assembly  72 . Scrubbing pad  82  has very little absorbent properties. It is therefore recommended that lap siding  12  be prewetted with cleaning solution with a garden sprayer or hose with a cleaning solution attachment prior to scrubbing with scrubber  62 . 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.