Improvements in or relating to Window Cleaning Appliances.
Year: 1897

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Window Cleaning Appliances.
I, ALFONS MAUSER of 95 Tubinger Strasse, Stuttgart in the Empire of Germany,
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 :—
5This invention has for its object a window cleaning appliance, the rubber or
"cleaning pad of which is attached to a band rope or cord fixed in proximity to
the window and wound on a spring drum provided with a stop catch, so that the
pad on the one hand may be pulled down from its casing for the purpose of being
used against the action of the spring drum, whilst the drum after unwinding the
0-desired length of the rope or cord may be prevented from turning backwards by
the automatic engagement of the catch or fastening device and on the other hand
"the pad`áfter use and after the catch or locking device has been released may be
again returned to its place, the cord or rope being wound up into the spring casing.
In the acompanying drawing, Figures 1-9 show three forms of construction of
57this improved, window cleaner which are intended more particularly for cleaning
closed windows of carriages or coupes.
Figure 1 is a general view of the mode of attachment and handling of the
improved window cleaner;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal section and a plan view of the
Owindow cleaner;
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan view of a modi-
fied form of cleaner;
Figures, 6 and 7 are a partial longitudinal section and cross section respectively.
of the spring casing;
Figures 8 and 9 are a side view and longitudinal section respectively of another
form of construction of the cleaner.
In the construction shown in Figure 1 the cleaning pad g, when not in use, is
contained in a frame.k, and the casing a enclosing the spring drum serves simul-
taneously as a handle for the said pad. The band or cord † wound on the spring
drum is attached at one end to the frame k and is operated on by a lever i, which,
when at rest is pressed by a spring into the position shown in Figure 2, in which
it presses by means of its roller the band or cord firmly on the support and
thereby clamps it fast. When it is desired to use the cleaner, it is taken hold of
with the hand, the lever i is pressed by the index finger and the cleaner is removed
from its seat unwinding the band f from the spring drum. If the lever i be then
released, the band or cord f will be secured and thus allow the cleaner to be used.
After use, pressure is again applied to the lever and the pad again returns to its
place, the band f being automatically wound up by the spring drum. The re-
leasing of the cleaning pad from its casing or seat may also take place without
pressing on the stop lever, as the latter only acts as a stop in one direction, that is
to say, it only prevents an automatic drawing in, but not a drawing out of the band
or cord.
In the form of construction of the cleaner or wiper shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7,

page_text: the casing of the spring drum is firmly connected with the frame k and the cleaner
or pad is provided with a separate handle. As a stop or fastening device two
pawls are employed in this case which are arranged on a disc 62 revoluble with
the drum b¹ on the spindle e. If the pad be moved from its seat, the drum. 6¹ and
the disc b² are revolved in the direction shown by an arrow y, Figure 6, the band f
being simultaneously unwound. If however it be desired to retain the spring
drum in a given position, the pressure of the spring his slowly yielded to, that is
to say the pad is allowed to move a little backwards, by which means one of the
pawls by reason of its own weight engages in the ratchet el on the fixed spindle e
of the spring drum, thus allowing the cleaning pad to be used unimpeded by the
pressure of the spring h.
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For the purpose of returning the pad into a non-working position, it is first
pulled outward so that the pawl c may be released by the further rotation of the
disc in the direction of the arrow y, Figure 6, and then the pad allowed to spring
back sharply, in consequence of which the disc 62 is rapidly rotated in the direction
of the arrow, Figure 6, the pawls c swinging outwards until they reach their
contacts, and the drum fully winding up the band f and returning the pad to its
casing.
The modification shown in Figures 8 and 9 is similar to the foregoing but in this
case the casing for the spring drum resembles the form of construction shown in
Figures 1 and 3 in being utilised as a handle for the pad. The frame k may be
dispensed with in many cases, as the cleaning pad may if necessary be suspended
freely on the band f.
It may be further pointed out that the locking device hereinbefore described is
in itself an already known form of construction and is merely intended to serve
as an example, as any other suitable fastening device may be employed which
allows of a suitable fixing of the spring drum in any desired position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. An appliance for cleaning windows, consisting of a cord or band (f) for
holding the cleaning pad (9) wound on a spring drum having a stop device, said
drum after the unwinding of the cord being fixed by said stop device and after the
releasing of the stop device allowing the cleaning pad to return to its initial
position substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying a
drawing.
2. In an appliance for cleaning windows, a casing (a) enclosing the spring drum
and serving simultaneously as a handle for the cleaning pad, substantially as
herein before described and shown in the accompanying drawing.
Dated
POST
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.