AU2007100592B4 - Car Wash Bucket - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 POWERSOURCE PROMOTIONS PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Car Wash Bucket The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 Introduction to the Invention O This invention relates to vehicle maintenance and detailing and in particular, to Z an improved kit or assembly for washing vehicles.

Background to the Invention The washing and detail maintenance of vehicles involves the use of some basic T tools including a receptacle for water, sponges, detergent etc. More often than not the Oassortment of these basic tools are dispensed and not available in one convenient place for the user. In addition to the above listed basic tool, a squeegee forms a useful addition to assist in vehicle cleaning. A squeegee, like the previously described tools is often lost or misplaced and can suffer damage to the delicate rubber blade unless this tool is carefully stored and handled. To date current "car care" kits include some of the tools detailed above and may also supply a water receptacle. However, none of the prior art provides a comprehensive assembly for storing and maintaining a full range of such tools for vehicle maintenance. One object of the invention is to provide an improved car wash bucket assembly.

Statements of the Invention In a first aspect the invention provides a bucket assembly for washing and maintenance detailing of vehicles, said assembly including an open body adapted to function as a receptacle for washing and maintenance detailing tools and/or a quantity of liquid, a lid adapted to cooperate with said open body so as to form a closure thereof characterised in that said lid includes a mounting means for any one or a combination of said washing and maintenance detailing tools, wherein said mounting means secures said tool or tools to said lid, outside the receptacle region of said body, and allows stacking of a plurality of said assemblies, including tools fitted thereto.

The mounting means may be an indenture in said lid wherein said indenture substantially accommodates said squeegee.

The indenture may include a clasping means to securely hold said squeegee.

The open body and lid may be sized and configured to allow stacking.

The open body may include an indent in the bottom thereof to accommodate a squeegee mounted to a subordinate assembly.

The open body may be configured to accommodate nesting of a plurality of bodies.

188035_1 2a Detailed Description of the Invention O The invention will now be described with reference to one particularly preferred Z embodiment as shown in the accompanying figures and legend.

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aO 188035 1 Figure 1 shows a plan view of the assembly.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the assembly.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the open body.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the open body.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the squeegee tool.

Legend 1. Open body 2. Lid 3. Recess 4. Squeegee Handle 6. Indent 7. Neck 8. Ribbings 9. Finger grip cavity Referring to the figures, the carwash assembly of the invention includes an open body 1 comprising a general receptacle for a variety of tools associated with the washing and maintenance detailing of motor vehicles where the generally open body also functions as a receptacle for water; so that once the associated tools are removed from the convenient enclosure of the body, the body can function as an open bucket for holding water used in the washing of motor vehicles. The open body is in the shape of a generally square bucket, but can adopt any configuration as is required or convenient including circular, oval or oblong shapes. The open body may be reinforced with ribbings 8 which may provide optional strengthening. The shape of the preferred square body also adopts a generally tapered configuration so as to allow a plurality of bodies to be nested together for convenient storage and packaging.

The body is provided with a lid 2, configured to fit snugly over the top open portion of the body and generally provide a closed bucket or receptacle in which can be placed a variety of tools commonly used for cleaning and maintenance detailing of a vehicle including sponges, detergents, waxes, brushes etc. In addition to the above tools, a commonly used tool for vehicle washing and detailing is a squeegee or an analogous window wiping and washing tool. The squeegee comprises a generally elongate rubber viper mounted in a transverse housing and operated by way of a handle such that the squeegee forms a generally T-shaped tool. The squeegee is a c:\nrportbl\meldocs\nlp\1 3809_1.doc useful tool for cleaning and maintenance of car vehicles but is often lost or misplaced and/or damaged when stored with a plurality of other washing and cleaning tools. In addition the bulky nature of a squeegee renders this tool difficult to easily store or accommodate and one characterising feature of the invention is a mounting means in the form of a shaped recess 3, formed in the lid 2 of the bucket assembly, specifically adapted for fixing and holding a squeegee type tool. The recess 3 is most preferably configured to the general shape of the squeegee 4 and takes the form of an impression in the lid of sufficient depth and configuration to substantially accommodate a squeegee type tool. The recess may include a clasping means and most preferably takes the form of a neck region 7 formed in the recess for clasping and clipping the handle 5 of the squeegee. The recess may also include an extended finger grip cavity 9 to allow easy removal of the tool.

The lid 2 of the assembly may further include an indent 6, specifically adapted to cooperate with the body of a second assembly so as to encourage stacking of a plurality of assemblies. The indent is configured to accomnmodate any protrusion of the squeegee 4 above the top level of the lid so as not to interfere with the stacking of a plurality of assemblies.

In use, the invention provides a convenient assembly comprising a combination ofa traditional bucket, tool box or tote in combination with a specific mounting facility for one or a number of tools used in association with the assembly. The provision of a mnounting means for the tools and in particular, a squeegee, ensures that this important tool remains readily at hand, protected from damage and separated from other tools used in the business of vehicle maintenance and washing.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

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Claims (4)

1. 2. An assembly according to claim I, wherein said tool is a squeegee.
2. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tool mounting means is a (,i recess formed in said lid.
3. 4. An assembly according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said recess includes a finger grip cavity.
4. 5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 188035 1