Patent Document

PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/051,671, filed Sep. 17, 2014 (our ref THOM-1-1001-1). The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to handrails, and, more specifically, to systems and methods for handrail cleaning. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Handrails are used on stairwells, ADA ramps, escalators, and many walkways to help users maintain balance and safety. As such, handrails are contacted by human hands and all the elements carried thereon, as well as elements found in buildings and the outdoors. Handrails are shown to harbor bacteria and viruses, and therefore need to be cleaned regularly to maintain the health and safety of users, especially children, the elderly, and others who may be immunocompromised. Cleaning handrails can carry its own hazard, as one may be required to traverse lean out over the pathway in order to clean it. Moreover, cleaning handrails can be a time consuming though menial task, diverting human labor from more demanding tasks. The invention disclosed herein aims to simplify the handrail cleaning process by increasing productivity, safety, and ease of cleaning handrails. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention relates generally to handrails, and, more specifically, to systems and methods for handrail cleaning. The system is comprised essentially of a cleaning pad and a means to deploy the cleaning pad. 
     In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail comprises at least one strut with a far end and a near end; and at least one pad disposed on the far end of the strut. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a pad disposed on the far end of the strut which may be configured to wrap around at least a portion of the handrail. In some embodiments, the pad disposed on the far end of the strut substantially conforms to the shape of the handrail. In some embodiments, the pad disposed on the far end of the strut may be pivotably coupled with the strut. In some embodiments, the pad disposed on the far end of the strut may be configured to slide onto and off of the handrail at an end of the handrail. In some embodiments, the near end of the strut may include a handle. In some embodiments, the near end of the strut may be disposed on a support structure. In some embodiments, the near end of the strut may be pivotably disposed on a support structure. In some embodiments, system for cleaning a handrail may further comprise a first strut and a second strut, the second strut disposed below the first, wherein the near end of the second strut may be disposed on the support structure; a first pad and a second pad, the second pad disposed on the far end of the second strut; wherein the first pad and the second pad are substantially aligned through a vertical plane. In some embodiments, the support structure may be disposed on four wheels. In some embodiments, the four wheels may be casters. In other embodiments, two of the four wheels may be casters, and the other two wheels may not be casters. 
     In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail comprises a support structure; a strut disposed on a forward portion of the support structure; a first pad, the first pad disposed on the strut; and a second pad, the second pad disposed on the strut below the first pad. In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail comprises at least one support structure; at least one strut with a near end and a far end, wherein the near end may be disposed on a forward portion of the at least one support structure; at least one pad disposed on the far end of the at least one strut. In some embodiments, the first pad and the second pad may be disposed such that the first pad and second pad may be substantially aligned along a vertical plane. In some embodiments, the first pad and the second pad may be disposed such that a handrail travels first through the first pad and then through the second pad. In some embodiments, the strut may be further comprised of a substantially straight portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end may be coupled with the forward portion of the support structure; and a mounting bracket disposed on the second end of the strut, the bracket further comprising an upper mount and a lower mount. In some embodiments, the first pad may be disposed on the upper mount of the mounting bracket and the second pad may be disposed on the lower mount of the mounting bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail comprises a support structure; a strut with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed on the support structure; a mounting bracket with an upper mount and a lower mount, the mounting bracket disposed on the second end of the strut; a first pad disposed on the upper mount; and a second pad disposed on the lower mount. In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail further comprises casters disposed on a front edge of the support structure. In some embodiments, the system for cleaning a handrail further comprises wheels disposed on a back edge of the support structure. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other methods, systems and/or program product embodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as the text (e.g., claims, drawings and/or the detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the device and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails in the extended or operating position. 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental isometric view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental side view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails in the maintenance position. 
         FIG. 7  is a close up view of a portion of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails in the maintenance position. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails in the storage position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the underside of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a cleaning element for a system for cleaning escalator handrails. 
         FIG. 12 a    is a front view thereof. 
         FIG. 12 b    is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning ADA handrails in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning ADA handrails in the extended position. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric view of a system for cleaning ADA handrails. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a cleaning element arrangement of a system for cleaning ADA handrails. 
         FIG. 17  is a front view thereof. 
         FIG. 18 a    is a right side view thereof. 
         FIG. 18 b    is a left side view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates generally to handrails, and, more specifically, to systems and methods for handrail cleaning. Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-19  to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment, or may have any detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with any other detail described for another embodiment. 
     Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular “embodiment” within this detailed description, and/or a grouping of limitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be a limiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations to that particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presenting this disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation ever presented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application (e.g. continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) may be practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinations which draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claims are fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time the instant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising any combination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosed and therefore having support in the original claims or in the specification as originally filed (or that of any continuing application claiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by the inventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination is described in the instant specification because all such combinations are viewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undue experimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any such future claim would not represent new matter. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a system for cleaning escalator handrails in the operating position. The system is comprised essentially of a cart arrangement  100  and a cleaning pad arrangement  200 . 
     In some embodiments, cart  100  may include a handle  110 . Handle  110  may be multipurpose. First, handle  110  may be used to push or pull cart  100  into a proper position. Second, handle  110  may be used to engage or disengage spring  111 , which in turn engages or disengages handle brake  112 . In some embodiments, brake  112  normally engages wheel  172 , and handle  110  must be manipulated in order to disengage brake  112 . For instance, in some embodiments, handle  110  is depressed, which causes spring  111  to lift brake  112 , disengaging wheel  172 . When handle  110  is released, spring  111  is released and brake  112  engages rear wheel  172 , preventing motion of the cart. In other embodiments, handle  110  must be lifted in order to disengage brake  112 . When handle  110  is released, brake  112  engages rear wheel  172 , preventing motion of the cart. 
     In other embodiments, brake  112  is normally disengaged, and handle  110  must be manipulated in order to brake wheel  172 . For instance, handle  110  may be lifted into a locked position, causing spring  111  to depress brake  112  and engage wheel  172 . In another embodiment, handle  110  may be depressed into a locked position, causing spring  111  to shift brake  112  and engage rear wheel  172 . Spring  111  may be a compression spring, a clock spring, a torsion spring, a tension spring, or any other type of tension device without altering the function of the spring. Likewise, handle  100  may be metallic, plastic, wood, may be curved, straight, or any other shape or material without altering the function of the handle. 
     In some embodiments, cart  100  may include a receptacle  120 . Receptacle  120  may be used for refuse, or to store or transport other elements of the present invention. Receptacle  120  may have an opening at the top of the cart, may contain a lid (not depicted), may be removable or replaceable, and may be comprised of a rigid or flexible material as the application calls for. 
     In some embodiments, cart  100  may also include at least one tray  130 . In a preferred embodiment, tray  130  may be used to store the cleaning solution used with the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, tray  130  may be used to store or transport additional cleaning pads or elements of the present invention. Tray  130  may be comprised of any rigid or semi-rigid material. In some embodiments, tray  130  may be comprised of a material that has particular characteristics, such as non-reactivity with the recommended cleaning solution, rust resistance, strength or heat characteristics, etc. In some embodiments, tray  130  is supported by beams  140 . In some embodiments, beams  140  may be four in number. In other embodiments, beams  140  may be three in number as depicted in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, cart  100  may include a second tray  131 . Tray  131  may serve any of the purposes of tray  130 . 
     In some embodiments, cart  100  may include a base  170 . Base  170  is the support structure for cart  100 , and as such can be any rigid material without impacting the function of the base. In some embodiments, base  170  may include front wheels  171 . Wheels  171  will tend to be smaller than rear wheels  172  to allow for better maneuverability of cart  100 , but in some embodiments the front wheels may be substantially the same size as or even larger than rear wheels  172 . In some embodiments, wheels  172  may be covered by a portion of base  170 , such as a wheel guard  175 . 
     In some embodiments, base  170  may include a bracket  173 , with which struts  160  are coupled. Bracket  173  may be fastened onto base  170  in any number of ways so long as the bracket is substantially immobile. Strut  160  may be fastened onto bracket  173  in any number of ways so long as it can rotate about the fastener, as the strut is designed to be moveable. In some embodiments, strut  160  may be a single strut. In some embodiments, strut  160  may be comprised of multiple arms, such as forward arms  161  and rearward arms  162 . In some embodiments, strut  160  may be comprised of 1, 2, 3, 4, or more individual arms. In a multiple-arm embodiment, each arm may move in tandem or individually, depending on the need of the particular application. In a preferred embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 1 , strut  160  is comprised of two forward arms  161  and two rearward arms  162 , wherein the lower portions of both sets of arms are mounted to the forward and rearward portions of bracket  173 , respectively. The upper portions are coupled with a crossbar  165 , which causes the individual arms to move in tandem. Crossbar  165  is further coupled with the mounting bracket, which is better depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the system for cleaning escalator handrails in the operating position and in use. In this embodiment, strut  160  is extended, allowing cleaning elements  200  to be positioned around an escalator handrail  270 . The details pertaining to cleaning elements  200  are better disclosed in other figures, which will be discussed further herein. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are side views of one embodiment of the system for cleaning escalator handrails.  FIG. 3  shows the system with an escalator handrail.  FIG. 4  is the system alone for illustrative purposes. These figures better illustrate the remainder of strut  160  and the integration with mounting bracket  150 , otherwise known as the cleaning pad carriage. 
     In some embodiments, there may be a stopper  180  between the cart base  170  and the strut  160 . In some embodiments, stopper  180  may be fixed, providing a constant position for strut  160  when the strut is extended into the operating position. In other embodiments, stopper  180  may be adjustable. In a further embodiment, stopper  180  may be adjusted by turning the knurled knob  181 . In a different further embodiment, stopper  180  may be adjusted by loosening the stopper from the attachment to the base  170  and rotating it with respect to the plane of the base. 
     In some embodiments, strut  160  may further include a positional element  163 . A function of positional element  163  is to aid in the positioning and stability of cleaning elements  200 . In some embodiments, positional element  163  may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. In some embodiments, positional element  163  may be a gas spring. In some embodiments, positional element  163  may be any other type of linear spring. The reciprocating linear motion of positional element  163  may be achieved in many manners without altering the function of the element. 
     Strut  160  is coupled with mounting bracket  150 . In some embodiments, the joint between strut  160  and bracket  150  is fixed. In some embodiments, the joint between strut  160  and bracket  150  is movable. In a preferred embodiment, mounting bracket  150  rotates around the joint with strut  160 , allowing the mounting bracket and cleaning elements  200  to have a different position relative to strut  160 . See  FIGS. 6 and 9  for examples. Allowing mobility in the joint between strut  160  and bracket  150  further allows cleaning elements  200  to be positioned more accurately with respect to cart  100  and escalator handrail  270 . In some embodiments, the joint between may allow movement in only one direction. In other embodiments, the joint may allow movement in two or more directions. In some embodiments, the joint may be a ball joint, allowing almost 100 percent freedom of motion. In some embodiments, the joint may allow movement in three or more axes. 
     In some embodiments, mounting bracket  150  may have only one mount. In a preferred embodiment, mounting bracket  150  has two mounts, an upper mount  151  and a lower mount  152 . In this configuration, a user is able to clean escalator handrail  270  by passing the handrail through both the upper and lower cleaning elements. In one method of use, a user soaks one cleaning element  200  in a cleaning solution and mounts it on lower mount  152 . A dry cleaning element  200  is mounted on upper mount  151 , and the cleaning elements are flexed to fit snugly around handrail  270 . Handrail  270  is cleaned as it passes first through the wet cleaning element and then through the dry element. Note the direction of travel  280  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The particular direction of travel is recommended because it allows the handrail to dry more completely as it runs the length of the escalator. This is important for at least three reasons. The first is that it prevents dust and other debris from the escalator mechanism, such as rollers and guides, from collecting on the handrail. Moreover, a wet handrail entering the system may cause disruptions in the guidance and tracking of the drive system, causing damage to the handrail and escalator as a whole. Furthermore, placing the handrail cleaner at the newel (emerging) end of the escalator helps to prevent a situation in which any part of the handrail cleaner is caught on the handrail and is entrapped by the handrail system. Since the handrail is emerging, any element that becomes caught on the handrail can be pulled off before entering the system, eliminating the damage and safety risks involved in items becoming entrapped in the handrail system. 
     In another method of use, a dry cleaning element  200  is mounted on upper mount  151 , and a polish or conditioner could be placed on the cleaning element that is mounted on lower mount  152 . In another method of use, the cleaning solution may include a polish or conditioner, and the dry element may act as a dryer and buffer. There are many methods of use facilitated by having two cleaning elements positioned one over the other which allow for automated and nearly autonomous cleaning of escalator handrails. 
     In some embodiments, cleaning elements  200  are coupled with mounts  151  and  152  via fasteners  153 . In some embodiments, fasteners  153  are permanent. In preferred embodiments, fasteners  153  are removable to allow for easy installation and removal of cleaning elements  200 . In some embodiments, fasteners  153  may be quick release fasteners, such as push-button pins, quarter-turn fasteners, tension latches, push turn fasteners, or any other easily removed standard fastener. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the joint between strut  160  and mounting bracket  150 . Here it&#39;s possible to see the embodiment wherein strut  160  has a forward arm set  161  and a rearward arm set  162 . Positional element  163  can be seen, disposed between the sets of arms that comprise the strut  160 . In one embodiment, forward arms  161  may be joined by fastener  166 . In some embodiments, rearward arms  161  may be joined by a fastener  167 . In some embodiments, fastener  166  or fastener  167  may be further disposed through mounting bracket  150 . In this embodiment, mounting bracket  150  may rotate about the fastener  166  or  167  to allow alternative positioning of the bracket. In some embodiments, the right and left arm sets may be joined through a center bracket  164 . The center bracket  164  may house latch  190 . In some embodiments, latch  190  may have a first notch  191 , a second notch  192 , and a third notch  193 . This particular feature and alternative positioning are discussed in more depth with  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the system for cleaning escalator handrails wherein the system is in the cleaning element change position. As can be seen, bracket  150  can be rotated such that mounts  151  and  152  are substantially parallel to the base  170 . This allows a user to change the cleaning elements  200 , or portions thereof, more easily. 
     The sectional view of this position shown in  FIG. 7  is instructional. Note that the image is rotated such that the front of cart  100  is to the left.  FIG. 7  shows that, in some embodiments, bracket  150  can be rotated to present cleaning elements  200  for easy and rapid change. When bracket  150  is rotated, its plane is substantially horizontal, or substantially parallel to the plane of base  170  (not depicted in this figure), which allows easy access to cleaning elements  200 . 
     In some embodiments, mounting bracket  150  is coupled with a latch  190 . One method of use is that, when bracket  150  is in an alternative position, latch  190  is engaged to prevent the bracket from returning to its in-use position. In another embodiment, latch  190  is used to hold bracket  150  in any position, including the in-use position, for additional structural integrity. In another embodiment, latch  190  may be used to release bracket  190  from the in-use position to allow movement to an alternative position. In some embodiments, latch  190  may have a first notch  191 . When bracket  150  is rotated into the changing position, notch  191  may engage catch  194 , holding the bracket in that position. In other embodiments, latch  190  may have a first notch  191  and a second notch  192 . When bracket  150  is in the in-use position, notch  192  may engage catch  194 , holding the bracket in the cleaning, or in-use, position. When bracket  150  is rotated into the changing position, notch  191  may engage catch  194 , holding the bracket in the changing position. In some embodiments, latch  190  may have a first notch  191 , a second notch  192 , and a third notch  193 , each notch allowing a different position of mounting bracket  150 . In some embodiments, latch  190  may include a spring  195 . Spring  195  may be used to establish a “standard” position for bracket  150 , allowing the bracket to return to that position when the latch is disengaged from catch  194 . In some embodiments, spring  195  may simply provide a counter force to the force exerted by bracket  150  on the rest of the system when the bracket is in any position. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , spring  195  is a torsion spring. However, spring  195  may be a compression spring, a clock spring, a tension spring, or any other type of spring without altering its function. 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the system for cleaning escalator handrails in the storage position.  FIG. 9  is a side view thereof. In this position, strut  160  is retracted so that it is substantially vertical, as opposed to when the system is in the operating position, wherein the strut is at a nearly 45 degree angle to vertical. In some embodiments, cart  100  may include a latch to maintain the storage position. In other embodiments, the storage position may be maintained by the linear spring  163 , or by some combination of the linear spring and a separate locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the system for cleaning escalator handrails. Bracket  173 , to which the strut (not depicted) is fastened, is disposed through the surface of base  170 . In some embodiments, the fasteners coupling bracket  173  to base  170  may be permanent, such as, for example, rivets. In other embodiments, the fasteners may be removable, such as nuts and bolts. It may be of value in particular applications to allow the entire strut to be replaced, or to move the strut assembly from a base that has been damaged to one that is intact. Therefore, any number of fasteners can be used in this position without altering the function of the base  170  and bracket  173 . 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of one embodiment of cleaning element  200 . Cleaning element  200  is comprised of a substantially flexible form  210 . In some embodiments, the flexible form  210  may be any flexible material, such plastics, foam, or any number of composites. In other embodiments, the flexible form  210  may be comprised of a non-reactive or substantially inert material, such as silicone, silicone rubber, Teflon, and others. A primary function of flexible form  210  is to provide the specific shape of the cleaning element  200 , allowing the element to substantially conform to and almost completely cover the surface and sides of the handrail, while still being flexible enough to be placed onto or removed from the handrail without damaging either the handrail or the form. However, flexible form  210  will almost certainly come into contact with at least a cleaning solution, many of which contain at least one caustic or chemically abrasive ingredient. Flexible form  210  is also likely to come into contact with polishes, waxes, and the handrail material. As such, the material properties of flexible form  210  may become relevant in a particular application. Therefore, many flexible materials may work without altering either the primary or secondary functions of the flexible form  210 , and may be changed as necessary for a particular application. 
     Cleaning element  200  may also include a cleaning cloth  240 . Cloth  240  may be microfiber, cotton, terrycloth, or any number of standard cleaning cloth materials, but a preferred embodiment uses microfiber for its ability to hold moisture as well as collect and hold debris. In this application, cleaning cloth  240  will often be required to both hold a cleaning solution and trap any debris that is dislodged in the cleaning process, an application for which microfiber is particularly well suited. 
     Cleaning cloth  240  is designed to sit flush against the inner portion of form  210 , covering the entire surface. In order to do so, it must be held onto form  210  in some way that does not obstruct the function of cleaning cloth  240 . One solution is to use support cloth  230 . In some embodiments, support cloth  230  is coupled with cleaning cloth  240  on a seam  231  that approximately follows the edge between the inner and outer portions of form  210 . Support cloth  230  and cleaning cloth  240  are stretched over form  210 , leaving a spot at the top for the form to protrude and allow access to pinhole  260 . In some embodiments, the cloths are held onto form  210  by strap  220 , which is disposed through a slit  250  in the top of the flexible form. In other embodiments, support cloth  230  may be elastic enough to maintain its position on form  210  without use of the strap. In other embodiments, strap  220  may connect directly with cleaning cloth  240 . In other embodiments, cloths  230  and  240  may be one material that is disposed on form  210  in any of the above methods. 
     Pinhole  260  is the point at which form  210  would be joined with mounting bracket  150  via pin  153 . This is discussed in more detail above. 
       FIG. 12 a    is a front view of cleaning element  200 . The contour from side to side of cleaning element  200  is designed to cover the top and sides of a handrail, fitting snugly thereon to allow the cleaning cloth  240  to touch all surfaces of the handle that a user might touch.  FIG. 12 b    is a side view, showing the contour of cleaning element  200  from front to back. This is a non-limiting example wherein the embodiment depicted has a slight curve. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the system for cleaning escalator handrails may be disposed at the end of the escalator, where the handrail emerges from the floor and begins to run the length of the escalator. A slightly curved longitudinal profile allows cleaning element  200  to maintain contact with the handrail newel end for slightly longer, giving a better clean and reducing friction points between the handrail and the cleaning element, which ultimately reduces wear on the system. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal contour is substantially straight, allowing the system to be used on moving walkways or other parts of an escalator where there is no curve in the handrail to be accounted for. 
     Americans with Disability Act handrails also require cleaning and conditioning.  FIG. 13  is an isometric view of one embodiment of an ADA handrail cleaner. In this embodiment, a cleaning element  200  is attached to a handle element  300 . In some embodiments, the handle  300  may be a fixed length. In some embodiments, the handle  300  may be a retractable telescoping handle, as seen in  FIG. 14 . The telescoping handle  300  embodiment may include one or more sections  301  wherein the sections are progressively slightly smaller such that the majority of the handle can be retracted into the length of a single section. In  FIG. 14 , this feature can be seen as each section gets smaller in diameter the farther the handle gets from cleaning element  200 . This should not be construed as limiting the number of sections in the telescoping handle  300 ; so long as the number of sections is greater than one, the handle will telescope. When the handle  300  is telescoping, each section may be joined to another with a locking mechanism  302 . In some embodiments, locking mechanism  301  may be a clamping lever, a twist lock, or any other telescope locking mechanism. In some embodiments, handle  300  may include a return spring, such that when the locking mechanism  301  is released, the handle portions automatically retract into one another. This telescoping mechanism allows a user to extend cleaning element  200  along the length of the handle without having to stand on the stairs or ramp to do so, making the cleaning process both safer and more ergonomically sound. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the ADA handrail cleaner. Handle  300  is coupled with cleaning element  200  by the addition of a socket  310 , a bracket  320 , a thumb screw  330 , and a bolt  340 . Bracket  320  is coupled with flexible form  210  via pin  153 , which, like with the escalator handrail cleaner embodiment, is disposed through the form in pinhole  260 . In some embodiments, bracket  320  may include one or more gaskets  321 . In some embodiments, bracket  320  may be rigidly coupled to form  210 , such that handle  300  is at a constant angle to cleaning element  200 . In other embodiments, bracket  320  may be coupled with form  210  in a manner that allows rotation of handle  300  with respect to cleaning element  200 . In one such an embodiment, handle  300  may be movable along the longitudinal plane, such that the handle can go from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical. In another such embodiment, handle  300  may pivot universally, allowing the handle to move in any plane around cleaning element  200 . This type of embodiment may be useful for curved stairways or ramps, or in sending the cleaning element  200  around a corner. 
     Fastener  340  is disposed through a hole in bracket  320 , and socket  310  is threaded onto the fastener. In some embodiments, fastener  340  may be a permanent fastener, such as a rivet. In other embodiments, fastener  340  may be removable, such as a bolt. In a further embodiment, fastener  340  may be knurled to allow installation and removal without the use of tools. Once socket  310  is in place, handle  300  is threaded into the socket. Thumb screw  330  is then threaded into a hole in the top of socket  310 , and the user can finger-tighten the screw to reinforce the joint of handle  300  to cleaning element  200 . In some embodiments, thumb screw may be knurled to facilitate a better grip and more user control. 
       FIGS. 16, 17, and 18  are detailed views of cleaning element  200  with the modifications for use with handle  300 .  FIG. 16  is an isometric view, showing the bracket  320  coupled with form  210  by pin  160 . It also shows that cleaning element  200  is substantially identical to the cleaning element as used in the escalator handrail cleaning embodiment. Cleaning element  200  has a cleaning cloth  240  coupled with a support cloth  230  and coupled with plastic form  210  by strap  220 . While the variations of cleaning element  200  are not repeated here, all of the variations disclosed above still apply. In some embodiments, cleaning element  200  may be a slightly different size in the ADA application than it is in the escalator application, but it performs the same function. 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of one embodiment of cleaning element  200 . This view shows the joint of bracket  320  to socket  310 . Socket  310  is coupled with bracket  320  by a fastener  340 , which passes through a hole in bracket  320  and into a threaded receiving portion on the bottom of socket  310 . Thumb screw  330  allows a user to clamp handle  300  (not shown) into socket  310 . 
       FIG. 18 a    is a right side view of one embodiment of cleaning element  200  with bracket  320 , socket  310 , and screw  330  installed, wherein the bracket is coupled with the cleaning element  200  by pin  160 .  FIG. 18 b    is a left side view thereof. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
     While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Technology Category: 7