Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to window cleaning devices and, more specifically, to a device which is installed in the doors of a vehicle which will wash and clean the side windows of the vehicle. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Presently, most all vehicles on the road have a windshield wiper system which may be used to clean the front window of the vehicle. Some vehicles even have a windshield wiper system on the rear of the vehicle to clean the rear window. Present windshield wiper systems include a device for spraying water on the window and one or more wipers to remove the water and other debris from the window. 
   While the above systems do work, there is presently no system available which will wash and clean the side windows on a vehicle. Once a side window becomes dirty, the only way to clean the window is to stop at a gas station or other location and to manually clean the side window with a wet cloth or squeegee. Present windshield wiper systems would not work because of the many different shapes and sizes of the side windows. Furthermore, having a windshield wiper system on the side windows would hinder individuals from lowering the side window when driving. 
   Therefore, there is a need to provide a side window washing device for vehicles. The side window washing device must overcome problems associated with prior art devices. The side window washing device must be able to wash and clean a side window of a vehicle without hindering a person&#39;s ability to lower the side window. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a side window washing device for vehicles. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a side window washing device that overcomes the problems associated with prior art devices. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a side window washing device that is able to wash and clean a side window of a vehicle without hindering a person&#39;s ability to lower the side window. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a side window washing device for a vehicle is disclosed. The side window washing device has a washing unit positioned on each side of the side window and coupled to an interior section of a door frame of the vehicle. The washing unit is capable of dispensing a liquid and moving to clean the side window. A driving unit is coupled to the washing unit. The driving unit is used for dispensing the liquid through the washing unit and for moving the washing unit. A drying unit is positioned above each washing unit and coupled to the interior section of a door frame. The drying unit is used for removing any liquid remaining on the side window. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a side window washing device for a vehicle is disclosed. The side window washing device has a washing unit positioned on each side of the side window and coupled to an interior section of a door frame of the vehicle. The washing unit is capable of dispensing a liquid and moving to clean the side window. The washing unit has a circular tube member having a channeling which runs from a first end through a majority of the length of the washing device for transferring the liquid through the washing device. The circular tube member rotates in order to clean the side window. A plurality of spray nozzles are coupled to the circular tube member and in fluid communication with the channeling for dispensing the liquid. A plurality of brushes are coupled to the circular tube member for removing any debris collected on the side window. The side window washing device further has a driving unit coupled to the washing unit for dispensing the liquid through the washing unit and for moving the washing unit. A drying unit is positioned above each washing unit and coupled to the interior section of a door frame for removing any liquid remaining on the side window. A catch pan is located below the washing unit and coupled to the interior of the door frame for collecting any excess liquid. A drainage hole is formed in a bottom section of the catch pan for draining the excess liquid. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of a vehicle having the side window washing device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  of the side window washing device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the side window washing device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the side window washing device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view of half of the side window washing device of the present invention, the other half being positioned behind the side window. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of half of the side window washing device of the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a side window washing device  10  (hereinafter window washing device  10 ) is shown. The window washing device  10  would be installed in the interior of a door frame  100  of a vehicle  102 . The washing device  10  would be able to wash and clean the side window  104  of the vehicle when the side window  104  is lowered and the window washing device  10  is activated. 
   The window washing device  10  is comprised of a washing and cleaning system  12  and a collection/drainage unit  14 . The washing and cleaning system  12  has a pair of washing units  16 . A washing unit  16  is positioned on each side of the side window  104 . Each washing unit  16  is of a sufficient length to extend across the longest portion of the side window  104 . 
   Each washing unit  16  will have a channeling  18 . The channeling  18  starts from a first end  20  of the washing unit  16  and runs a majority of the length of the washing unit  16 . The channeling  18  will allow a liquid  22  to flow through the washing unit  16 . However, the channeling  18  does not run out a second end  24  of the channeling  18  so that the liquid  22  will not flow out of the second end  24 . In operation, the liquid  20  will be a window cleaning solution. However, other liquid solutions may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   The washing unit  16  will have a plurality of spray nozzles  26  located along the length of the washing unit  16 . The spray nozzles  26  are in fluid communication with the channeling  18 . The spray nozzles  26  are used to dispense and direct the liquid  20  onto the side window  104  when the washing unit  16  is in operation. The spray nozzles  26  will aid in the removal of any debris which may be stuck on the side window  104 . 
   The washing unit  16  will also have a plurality of brushes  28  coupled thereto. The brushes  28  are located along the length of the washing unit  16 . The brushes  28  are used to further aid in the removal of any debris which may be stuck on the side window  104 . 
   Both washing units  16  are coupled to a driving mechanism  30 . The driving mechanism  30  is used to move the washing unit  16  in order to better clean the side window  104 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, both washing units  16  have a circular tube configuration. The driving mechanism  30  is used to rotate the washing units  16 . Thus, as the side window  104  is moved in either an up or down motion, the washing units  16  will rotate. The spray nozzles  26  and the brushes  28  move in a rotating manner thereby cleaning the side window  104 . 
   Alternatively, the washing units  16  may have a flat edge configuration. The driving mechanism  30  is then used to move the washing units  16  in a reciprocating motion such as an up and down or a side to side motion. Thus, as the side window  104  is moved in either an up or down motion, the washing units  16  will move in either an up and down or a side to side motion to clean the side window  104 . 
   In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the driving mechanism  30  is comprised of a small motor/pump  32 . The motor/pump  32  has two purposes. First, the motor/pump  32  is used to transfer the liquid from a liquid reservoir  34  to the washing units  16 . In general the liquid reservoir  34  is couple to the motor/pump  32  by a conduit  36 . The motor/pump  32  will draw the liquid from the liquid reservoir  34  through the conduit  36  and transfer the liquid to each washing unit  16  via a second conduit  38 . The liquid is then dispersed through the a plurality of spray nozzles  26  located along the length of the washing unit  16 . 
   The motor/pump  32  is further used to move the washing units  16  in either a rotational motion or a reciprocating motion such as an up and down or a side to side motion based on the design. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the motor/pump  32  is coupled to a gear system  40 . The gear system  40  includes a main driving gear  42  coupled to the motor/pump  32 . Each washing unit  16  has a second gear  44  coupled to an end section thereof. The second gear  44  is rotationally coupled to the driving gear  42 . Thus, when the motor/pump  32  rotates the driving gear  42 , the driving gear  42  will rotate the second gear  44  thereby rotating the washing unit  16 . However, it should be noted that other types of devices besides the gear system  40  may be used to move the washing units  16  in either a rotational motion or a reciprocating motion such as an up and down or a side to side motion 
   Positioned above each washing unit  16  and coupled to the interior of the door frame  100  is a drying unit  46 . Thus, a drying unit  46  is placed on each side of the side window  104 . The drying unit  46  will remove any liquid which is on the side window  104 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , each drying unit  46  has a body section  48 . A rubberized tip  50  is coupled to the end of the body section  48 . The rubberized tip  50  will contact the side window  104 . When the side window  104  is moved in either an up or down motion, the rubberized tip  50  will remove an liquid on the window similar to a squeegee. 
   Located below the washing units  16  is a collection pan  52 . The collection pan  52  will be coupled to the interior of the door frame  100 . The collection pan  52  is used to collect any liquid that may fall off the side window  104  or the washing units  16 . The collection pan  52  will be slightly angled to help in the collection and drainage of the liquid. Located at a bottom section of the collection pan  52  is a drainage hole  54 . The drainage hole  54  will allow the liquid to drain out of the door frame  100  of the vehicle  102  so that no rusting will occur. 
   In operation, each washing unit  16  is mounted in the interior of a door frame  100  of a vehicle  102 . A mounting bracket  56  is coupled to the end  24  of the washing unit  16  opposite of the motor/pump  32 . The mounting bracket  56  will secure the washing unit  16  to the interior of a door frame  100 . The second end of the washing unit  16  is coupled to the gear system  40  which is also coupled to the will secure the washing unit  16  to the interior of a door frame  100 . In order to clean the side window  104 , a user must turn on the washing units  16 . This is done through a switching mechanism  58  which is coupled to the motor/pump  32 . The switching mechanism  58  is generally located in the interior of the vehicle  102 . The switching mechanism  58  is used to activate the motor/pump  32 . The motor/pump  32  will draw the liquid from the liquid reservoir  34  through the conduit  36  and transfer the liquid to each washing unit  16  via the second conduit  38 . The liquid is then dispersed through the a plurality of spray nozzles  26  located along the length of the washing unit  16  to the side window  104 . The motor/pump  32  will also rotate the washing units  16  so that the brushes  28  will be able to remove any debris which may be stuck on the side window  104 . As the side window  104  is either moved up or down, the washing units  16  will clean each side of the side window  104 . The drying unit  46  will then remove any excess liquid still on the side window  104 . 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: b