Abstract:
A window cleaning apparatus includes a handle, a paddle and a cleaning element. The paddle is detachable and pivotally attachable to the handle. A spring biased slider carried on the handle has a pivot pin on one end releasibly engagable with a hinge receiver on the paddle. The cleaning element is one of a plurality of interchangeable bodies, each having one major surface engagable with one major surface of a paddle and side edges having elastic mounted thereon to draw the ends of the side edges of the body inward to form an opening smaller than the outer diameter of the paddle to releasibly attach the body of the cleaning element about the paddle. The bodies are formed of an absorbent material for use as a drying element and with an intermediate fluid carrying layer and a rough mesh layer for use as a scrubbing element.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention: 
     The present invention relates, in general, to cleaning apparatus and more specifically, to apparatus for cleaning vehicle windows. 
     2. Description of the Art: 
     Various tools are available to clean the exterior surface of vehicle windows. Such tools typically include a handle and a perpendicularly oriented cleaning element, such as a wiper blade, sponge rubber pad and combinations thereof. Water or ammonia based cleaning fluid is applied to the exterior surface of the vehicle window and scraped off by the tools to remove debris. Such tools are easy to use on the exterior surface of vehicle windows since the exterior surface of the vehicle windows is easily accessible both to apply cleaning fluid to the windows and to remove the fluid and debris from the windows. 
     However, such tools are ineffective in cleaning the inner surface of vehicle windows. The extreme angles of the vehicle windshield and backlight with respect to the dashboard and rear seat shelf in conjunction with adjacent vehicle components, such as the rear view mirror, steering wheel and rear, center brake light housing make it difficult to get the edges of a cleaning tool close to the extreme lower edges of the windshield and backlight. In addition, applying fluid, which is typically in the form of a spray, to the inner surfaces of the windshield and backlight results in a significant amount of the spray being deposited on the underlying horizontal surfaces adjacent to the windows, such as the vehicle dashboard and the rear shelf. 
     Thus, the most common implements used to clean the inner surfaces of vehicle windows are sponges, rags and paper towels. Manual force is exerted through the user&#39;s hands to manually apply cleaning fluid and/or spray to the inner surface of the windows and then to manipulate the cleaning element in a back and forth or circular motion across the surface of the windows. While a user may be able with a considerable amount of effort to clean most of the inner surface of the vehicle window, it is still difficult to completely clean the edges of the window and, more importantly, the lower edges of a vehicle windshield and backlight. 
     A variety of tools have been devised specifically to clean the inner surfaces of vehicle windows. Such tools are typically formed of a pad which is connected to an elongated handle. A cleaning element is attached to one side of the pad by various means including clips, straps, or hook and pile fasteners. However, each of these tools is specifically devised for a single type of cleaning operation, such as scrubbing or drying, but not both. 
     While such tools improve the reach of the user and enable the user to clean the lower edges of vehicle windows, and in particular, the windshield and backlight, it is believed that further improvements can be made to such vehicle window cleaning apparatus to make the cleaning apparatus easier to use, to provide easily detachable and interchangeable mounting of different shaped pads or plates to the handle, as well as providing easy replacement of wet, soiled cleaning elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a cleaning apparatus particularly suited for cleaning and drying the interior surfaces of vehicle windows. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning apparatus includes a substantially rigid paddle having first and second opposed surfaces. A handle is pivotally connected on one end to the second surface of the paddle. A cleaning element is removably affixed to the paddle. The cleaning element includes a first surface mountable in registry with one surface of the paddle and side edges disposed over a peripheral portion of the paddle. Elastic means are provided on the side edges of the cleaning element for elastically securing the cleaning element about the paddle. 
     Preferably, the cleaning element forms a cleaning system which includes at least two distinct cleaning elements, one a scrubbing element including a fluid saturable inner layer and, another, a drying body formed of an absorbent material. The ends of the side edges of the cleaning element are drawn inward by the elastic means to form an opening normally smaller than the periphery of the paddle. 
     Hinge means are cooperatively formed on one of the first and second surfaces of the paddle and the one end of the handle for pivotally connecting the paddle to the handle. Means are formed on the hinge means for biasing a pivot pin into a hinge receiver to detachably connect the paddle to the handle. 
     Preferably, the hinge means includes first and second pivot pins extending coaxially outward from opposed sides of the one end of the handle. First and second receivers are mounted on the paddle for receiving the first and second pivot pins, respectively. A spring biased means is carried on the handle for retractably biasing one of the first and second pivot pins outward from the handle. 
     An aperture is formed in the end of the handle opening to an interior chamber in the end of the handle. A slider carries one of the first and second pivot pins and is movably disposed within the interior chamber. A spring is engagable with the slider for normally biasing the slider to a position in which the one of the first and second pivot pins extends outward through the aperture in the end of the handle for releasible engagement in one of the first and second receivers. A projection extends from the slider through another opening in the handle to facilitate manual movement of the slider. 
     The cleaning apparatus of the present invention affords numerous advantages over prior cleaning apparatus devised for cleaning the interior surfaces of vehicle windows. The present cleaning apparatus enables a plurality of different shaped paddles and attached scrubbing and drying elements to be detachably mounted on the handle for use in practically any vehicle window cleaning application. The present cleaning apparatus enables a user, for example, to easily reach the lower edges of the interior surface of vehicle windows adjacent to the vehicle dash board or rear backlight despite the extreme angles of such windows with respect to interior vehicle surfaces and the adjacent rear view mirror, steering wheel or rear center brake light assembly housing. The different cleaning elements are easily attachable and removable from the paddle thereby minimizing the total time required for each cleaning operation as a scrubbing element and one or more drying elements can be quickly and easily mounted on a paddle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an assembled, perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention with a drying element mounted thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle and paddle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3A is a sequential representation of the insertion of the spring biased pin into the handle shown in FIG. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 3B is a partially broken-away, plan view of the spring biased pin in its assembled position in the handle; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a drying element and paddle; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drying element and paddle; 
     FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a scrubbing element and paddle; and 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the assembled cleaning apparatus of FIG. 6A with the scrubbing element mounted thereon. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawing, and to FIGS. 1-5 in particular, there is depicted a first embodiment of a cleaning apparatus  10  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It will be understood that although the following description of the use of the cleaning apparatus  10  in cleaning and drying the interior surfaces of vehicle windows, the cleaning apparatus  10  may also be applied in a variety of other cleaning applications, such as to clean and dry the exterior surface of the vehicle windows, house or building windows, mirrors, or practically any surface that requires the use of a cleaning fluid and its removable from the surface being cleaned. 
     In general, the cleaning apparatus  10 , includes a paddle  12 , a handle  14 , and a drying element  16 . 
     As shown in one embodiment in FIGS. 1-4, the paddle  12  is formed of a generally planar plate  20  having one of a number of different configurations or sizes. The plate  20  is preferably formed of a lightweight material, with a suitable plastic material being preferred. However, other materials, such as metal, wood, composites, etc., may also be employed. 
     The plate  20  has a generally rectangular or possibly square configuration with four exterior side edges each denoted by reference number  22 . Rounded corners or radii are formed at the juncture of each of two side edges  22 . The plate  20  is also formed with a first or rear surface  50  and a second, opposed, front surface  52 . 
     The plate  20  may be provided in two different sizes, such as a small size and a large size. By example only, a small size plate  20  may have dimensions of 5″×7″. The larger plate  20  may have dimensions of 7″×9″. It will be understood that the plate  20  may also be formed with a square configuration of equal length side edges  22  and with other square or rectangular dimensions as needed for a particular cleaning application. 
     The paddle  12  may also be formed in other configurations for drying different shaped windows or portions of a vehicle window. As shown in FIG. 5, a plate  30  has a general oval shape with maximum dimensions of 7″×9″ for a large oval shaped plate  30  or 5″×7″ for a smaller oval shaped plate  30 . All of the exterior surface or side edges of the paddle  30  is smoothly curved without any sharp projections or corners. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a plate  34  which may also be used to form the paddle  12  of a cleaning embodiment of the apparatus  10 . In this embodiment, the plate  30  has a first flat side edge  36  which smoothly merges into two generally perpendicularly extending side edges  38  and  40 . The side edges  38  and  40  have an end portion  42  and  44 , respectively, which tapers inwardly toward each other thereby narrowing the width of the plate  34  at a second end  46  opposite from the side edge  36 . The tapered portions  42  and  44  extend to a smoothly rounded apex or second end  46 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paddle  12 , regardless of its plate configuration  20 ,  30  or  34 , may have a generally planar shape. A slight concave bend may also be formed in any of these plate  20 ,  30  or  34 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the handle  14  of the cleaning apparatus  10  may take one of a variety of different shapes to provide a convenient gripping surface even when wet. Thus, by example, the handle  14 , shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is formed of a lightweight material, such as a somewhat rigid, although flexible and slightly bendable plastic. The handle  14  is formed of an elongated member  56  of one of at least two distinct lengths and having a first end  58  and an opposed second end  60 . The elongated member  56  extends generally planarly between the first and second ends  58  and  60 . Although the member  56  may have a constant cross-section and a constant width dimension from end to end, in order to provide a more easily grippable surface  14 , the member  56  is formed with a first enlargement  62  at the first end  58 . The opposed side edges of the member  56  taper inwardly from the first enlargement  62  to a smaller width intermediate portion  64  before tapering outwardly to a second enlarged portion  66  adjacent the second end. At least a portion of the first enlargement  62  and the intermediate portion  64  of the member  56  may be formed with a rough or contoured exterior surface, such as a series of serrated, spaced ridges or projections as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to provide an easily grippable surface even when wet. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side edges of the second enlarged portion  66  taper smoothly outward from the intermediate portion  64  and terminate in opposed first and second side edges  68  and  70 , adjacent the second end  60  of the member  56 . 
     The cleaning apparatus  10  also includes means for mounting any of the plates  20 ,  30  and  34 , one at a time, to the handle  14 . Preferably, the mounting means includes means for detachably mounting the plates  20 ,  30  and  34  to the handle  14 . More preferably, means are provided for pivotally and detachably mounting the plates  20 ,  30  and  34  to the handle  14 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown more clearly in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the mounting means includes a pivot pin  72  mounted or unitarily formed on the first side edge  68  of the member  56 . The opposite or second side edge  70  is formed with an aperture  73  which opens to an interior chamber  74  in the second enlarged portion  66  of the member  56  adjacent to the second end  60 . An opening or cut out  76  in the exterior surface of the handle  14  communicates with the interior chamber  74 . 
     A spring biased pin assembly  80  includes a slider  82  having a generally cylindrical cross section. The slider  82  is formed with a reduced diameter first end in the form of a circular sleeve  84 . A shoulder  85  on the slider  82  form a seat for a biasing spring, such as a coil spring  100  which also engages one end of the interior chamber  74 . 
     The opposed end of the slider  82  is formed as a pivot pin  88  having essentially the same shape as the pin  72  mounted on the side edge  68  of the handle  14 . A notch or recess  90  is formed in the slider  82  adjacent to the pin  88  at one end of the slider  82 . The recess  90  forms a resilient, movable arm  92  along one side of the slider  82 . The free end of the arm  92  is formed in a projection or catch  83  which extends beyond the exterior surface of the adjacent portion of the slider  82  in a normal, biased position shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     In assembling and mounting the spring biased pin assembly  80  as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the spring  100  is mounted over the sleeve  84  on the slider  82 . The spring biased pin assembly  80  is inserted spring first through the aperture  73  into interior chamber  74  in the handle member  56 . 
     The arm  92  is depressed by the user toward the opposite side of the slider  82  to enable the outer end of the projection or catch  83  to be inserted through the aperture  73  in the handle  14 . The end of the catch  83  is angled to aid in downward movement of the catch  83  upon engagement with the end  70 . 
     Continued insertion forces are exerted on the end of the pin  88  of the slider  82  until the projection  83  passes the interior edge of the opening  76  in the enlarged end portion  66  of the handle  14 . The resilient nature of the arm  92  enables the projection  83  to snap outward, as shown in FIG. 3B, to lock the spring biased pin assembly  80  within the interior chamber  74  of the handle  14  as shown in FIG.  3 B. The spring  100  is compressed a slight amount to exert a spring force against the slider  82  to maintain the slider  82  in a position in which the projection  88  normally engages one edge of the opening  76  in the handle  14 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pins  72  and  88  are co-axially aligned and form part of hinge means which are rotatably mountable in opposed hinge members  102  and  104  as shown in FIG.  1 . Each of the hinge members or receivers  102  and  104  are preferably unitarily formed as part of the first or rear surface  50  of the paddle  12 . Since the paddle  12  is preferably formed of a plastic, the hinge members  102  and  104  may be unitarily molded as part of the paddle  12 . 
     Each of the hinge members  102  and  104  are in the form of solid bodies which are unitarily formed as part of the plate  20  and project upwardly from the first rear surface  50  of the plate  20 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the hinge members  102  and  104  is formed with an inner face opposing the inner face of the opposed hinge member in a smoothly curved or arcuate shaped outer surface extending toward the adjacent side edge  22 . Alternately, the hinge members  102  and  104  may be simple flanges projecting perpendicularly from the first rear surface  50  of the plate  20 , with each flange having an aperture for receiving the pivot pins  72  and  88 . 
     Thus, the internal bores  106  and  108 , respectively, receive the pivot pins  88  and  72 , respectively, on the handle  14  to pivotally couple the plates  20 ,  30  and  34  to the handle  14  and enable substantially 180° pivotal movement of the handle  14  relative to the plates  20 ,  30  and  34 . 
     Each plate embodiment of the paddle  12  is coupled to the handle  14  by pushing the projection  83  on the slider  82  away from the adjacent side edge  70  of the handle member  56  to retract the end  88  of the slider  82  inwardly within the interior chamber  74  in the second enlarged portion  66  of the handle member  56  to enable the second side edge  70  to be disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the second hinge member  102 , it being understood that the opposed pivot pin  72  has already been inserted into the bore  108  in the second hinge member  104 . Release of the projection  83  allows the spring  100  to move the slider  82  away from the spring stop  90  and to urge the second pivot pin  88  outwardly through the aperture  73  in the second side edge  70  of the handle member  56  and into the bore  106  in the hinge member  102 . 
     The projection or catch  83  is positioned along the length of the slider  82  from the second pivot pin end  88  to enable the pivot pin  88  to be completely retracted within the second end  70  of the handle  14  when the projection  83  engages the far end of the opening  76 . Release of the moving force on the projection  83  enables the spring  100  to move the slider  82  in an opposite direction until an opposite edge of the projection  83  engages the edge of the opening  76  and the pivot pin  88  projects exteriorly of the second end  70  of the handle  14 . 
     A first drying element embodiment of the cleaning element  16  which is removably mountable on the paddle  12  is shown in FIG.  4 . In this embodiment, the drying element is in the form of a pliable body  110  sized to releasibly mount about the plate  20  of the first embodiment of the paddle  12 . Thus, the body  110  has a first major surface  112  which is disposable adjacent a second front surface  52  of the plate  20 , a continuous side edge  114  extending from the first major surface  112 , and a peripheral edge  116  surrounding an open end opposite the first surface  112 . The peripheral edge  116  may be stitched to prevent unravelling or separation of the fibers forming in the body  110 . Preferably, the body  110  is formed of an absorbent material, such as cotton, etc. 
     Elastic means  118  in the form of an elastic band is stitched or otherwise attached to the peripheral edge  116  of the body  110  to provide an elastic force for closing the peripheral edge  116  to a small open diameter to thereby securely, yet releasibly mount the body  110  about the paddle  12 . At the same time, the elastic means  118  allows the body  110  to be easily removed from the paddle  12  and replaced with a clean, dry body  110  when necessary. 
     It will be understood that the body  110  may be provided in different sizes to conform to the shape and size of the large or small plates  20  described above. 
     A second embodiment of a body  120  usable as the drying element is shown in FIG.  5  and includes a first major surface  122 , a continuous side edge  124  and a peripheral edge  126 . Elastic means  128  are secured to the peripheral edge  126 . Preferably, the peripheral edge  126  and the adjacent side edge  124  are formed or cut to a generally oval shape to enable the body  120  to conform to the shape of the oval plate  30 . 
     Yet another body  130 , shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, may be used as the cleaning element  16  for the plate  34 . Like the other bodies  110  and  120 , the body  130  is formed of a first, generally planar surface  132 , a side edge  134  which terminates in continuous peripheral edge  136  surrounding an opening, and elastic means  138  secured to the peripheral edge  136 . The peripheral edge  136  and the side edge  134  are preferably formed in the shape of the plate  34  to enable the body  130  to be removably mounted about and to conform to the shape of the plate  34 . As shown in FIG. 6A, an absorbent layer or pad  140  of substantially the same shape as the plate  34  is interposed between a major surface of the plate  34  and the first major surface  132  of the body  130  to provide fluid absorbent features. The pad  140  can be loosely interposed between the plate  34  and the body  130  or fixed on the plate  34  by adhesive or other suitable means. The body  130 , in this embodiment, is preferably formed of a mesh or rough material to act as a scrubbing surface in conjunction with a fluid filled absorbent layer  140  which dispenses fluid during the scrubbing operation. Thus, the body  130  and absorbent layer  140  function as a scrubbing element to apply cleaning fluid to a window and, with suitable scrubbing movement, to simultaneously loosen dirt and other debris from the window. 
     The various drying and cleaning bodies  110 ,  120  and  130  shown in FIGS. 4-6 may be used to perform a variety of cleaning or drying tasks. Any of the bodies  110  and  120  may be used merely as a dusting cloth to remove dust from a vehicle window or other interior vehicle surface. Further, the body  130  shown in FIG.  6  and its associated plate  34  with the rounded end  46  and interior absorbent layer  140  is ideally suited to act as a sponge and scrubbing surface in applying cleaning fluid or water to the interior surface of a vehicle window and scrubbing or removing debris stuck on a window. 
     Once the absorbent layer  140  is wetted with the cleaning fluid, the handle  14  of the cleaning apparatus  10  is grasped by one hand of the user and then moved adjacent to the window until the body  130 , contacts the interior surface of the window. The cleaning element  10  is then moved in any motion, such as back and forth, sideways, circular or combinations thereof to apply the cleaning fluid to the entire interior surface of the window and to remove any debris stuck on the window. The body  130  and plate  34  are then removed from the handle  14  by simply reversing the insertion operation of the spring biased pin assembly  80  as described above to detach the plate  34  and the from the handle  14 . Specifically, the user exerts a sliding force on the projection  83  to the right, in the orientation shown in FIG. 3B, urging the slider  82  against the force of the spring  100  until the pin  88  on the slider  82  disengages from the associated hinge  102 . This enables the paddle  12  and the handle  14  to be separated from each other. One of the other bodies  110  or  120  and its associated plate  20  or  30 , respectively, is then attached to the handle  14  as described above. The body  110  or  120  is then brought into engagement with the window and again moved in any fashion across the entire surface of the window to dry the previously applied cleaning fluid and remove any loose debris from the window. 
     If, at any time, the body  110  or  120  becomes saturated with cleaning fluid or accumulates a significant amount of dirt or other debris, the user may simply remove the body  110  or  120  from the associated paddle  12  and then mount a clean, dry body  110  or  120  on the paddle  12  to continue with the cleaning operation. 
     Thus, there has been disclosed a unique cleaning apparatus particularly suited for cleaning and drying the interior surfaces of vehicle windows which is easy to use, is capable of scrubbing and drying all of the interior surface of vehicle windows, including the lower edges adjacent the vehicle dash board and rear shelf, has easily detachably mounted paddles and scrubbing and drying elements enabling different shaped paddles and cleaning and drying elements to be easily attached to the handle for scrubbing and drying various portions of or different shaped windows as well as enabling the scrubbing and drying elements to be easily removed when wet or soiled and a new element applied to the paddle.