Improved Apparatus for use in Cleaning Windows.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for use in Cleaning Windows.
I, JOSEPH HALLETT, of 108, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
Considerable inconvenience and danger attend the cleaning of windows as
ordinarily done, especially in the case of upper floor windows; now my invention
has for object to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus with the aid of which
both the inner and outer sides of windows may be simultaneously cleaned by a
person stationed at the inner side, thus obviating the danger incidental to methods
of cleaning which render it necessary that the operator should stand on an external
window-sill or the like, or sit with his or her body at the outer side of the window;
and also the inconvenience which results in those cases where, although the body
may be at the inner side of the window, the arms have to be stretched so as to
reach various parts of the outer side.
For this purpose an apparatus according to my invention is constructed with
a device comprising a member adapted to be held and manipulated at the inner
side of a window, and, connected thereto, a member adapted to hold a pad or its
equivalent against the opposite or outer side of the window. An apparatus for
cleaning simultaneously both outer and inner sides of a window comprises a
couple of pads or backs of suitable construction connected together adjustably or
otherwise with their operating surfaces opposed to one another and a spring or
springs adapted to cause the connected pads or cleaning surfaces to bear against
the two opposite surfaces of the window to be cleaned, the arrangement being
such that, as already indicated, the apparatus when in use can be worked by a
person stationed at the inner side of the window.
:-
Such an apparatus as just indicated can be constructed in various forms:-
A convenient arrangement is represented in the accompanying illustrative draw-
ings, whereof Fig. 1 shows a side view of the apparatus with a portion of a
window in section.
Fig. 2 shows a view of the apparatus in a plane at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a cross section in the line A B of Fig. 1.
a, a¹ are two rods or guides connected by a spring 6; the rod or guide a¹ being
the inner one, and being provided with a handle c by which the apparatus can be
manipulated.
In the example, the parts a, b, a¹ are formed of a single steel rod; the outer
guide rod a may be of any suitable length; the inner one a¹ is bent at a so as to
bring its end a³ into suitable position for holding the handle c.
But it will be evident that a and a¹ might be separate parts of any suitable
cross section or form (for example channelled or T-shaped or of other section)
connected by a spring or springs of any appropriate construction located similarly
to the connecting spring 6 and adapted to return a and a¹ to their normal relative
positions when they have been moved apart.
d, d are blocks or backs of wood or other suitable material furnished with
clips e, e, which are shown as screw clips, but may be of other construction, so
long as they be such as will admit of the blocks or backs d d being readily

page_text: secured in any positions to which they may have been moved along the rods or
guides a, a¹.
f, f are diagonally cross ribbed vulcanized india-rubber facings cemented or
otherwise suitable fastened to the faces of the blocks or backs d.
d¹¹ are grooves formed around the back portions of the blocks or backs d,
and 9 g are surrounding springs formed of spirally twisted brass wire (but springs
of india rubber or other equivalent devices might be substituted) and adapted to
enable wash leather or cloth or other material to be readily secured to the blocks
or backs d in such wise as to cover the operating surfaces thereof according to
requirement.
As will be evident, in some cases the blocks or backs d instead of being made
adjustable along a, a¹ might be permanently fixed thereto; also the blocks may
be faced with other material than rubber the surfaces of which may be diagonally
ribbed, roughened or corrugated for the purpose of cleaning the glass. Also,
instead of connecting a and a¹ by a spring or springs located at or near the ends
which in the drawings are uppermost, the parts a, a might be arranged a greater
distance apart and be rigidly connected at their said upper ends, suitable springs
being in such case provided to act against the backs of the pads or blocks d in
such wise as to adniit of their being moved apart for the purpose of getting the
apparatus into position for use, but to return the pads or blocks towards one
another and cause them to bear against the opposite sides of the glass for the
cleaning operation; or one only of the pads or blocks might be so provided, care
being taken to afford it an ample stroke to clear the window frame.
As will be seen, with apparatus constructed as above described, if the window
be partially opened, and the pads or blocks be moved apart to a sufficient extent,
they may be passed over the window-frame, and if then allowed to gradually
approach one another, they will ultimately bear against the opposite sides of the
glass, when, holding the handle c, the operator can so manipulate the apparatus
as to simultaneously clean both surfaces of the glass at its various parts.
. Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In an apparatus for use in cleaning windows, a device comprising a member
adapted to be held and manipulated at the inner side of a window, and, connected
thereto, a member adapted to hold a pad or equivalent cleaner against the opposite
or outer side of the window, the construction and arrangement being such as to
enable the outside of the window to be readily cleaned from inside, as set forth.
2. In an apparatus such as referred to in the preceding claim, for use in clean-
ing windows, the combination of pads or blocks adapted to bear against opposite
sides of a window, means whereby the said pads or blocks are connected together,
and means for causing the pads or blocks, or covering applied thereto, to bear
against opposite sides of the window; the construction and arrangement being
such as to admit of the pads or blocks being moved sufficiently apart to be passed
over the frame of the window, and of the apparatus being manipulated by a
person at one side of the window in such a manner as to simultaneously operate
on both sides thereof.
3. Apparatus substantially as described and illustrated, for the purpose specified.
Date a
day of December 1897.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.