AU2012101590A4 - Cleaning Device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed herein is a cleaning device for a self retracting tape measure. The device comprises first and second clamping arms shaped to receive the tape measure therebetween and provide uniform contact across a width of the tape measure. 5 Relative movement of the cleaning device along a length of the tape measure cleans the tape measure without deforming the tape measure. - 12 -

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT APPLICANT: B&L Industries Pty Ltd INVENTION TITLE: Cleaning Device The following statement Is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing It known to me: - Cleaning Device Field of the Invention The present Invention relates to a cleaning device, and more particularly, to a 5 cleaning device for measuring devices such as retractable measuring tapes. Background to the Invention Self retracting tape measures having a body and retractable measuring tape are used frequently in the building and construction industry as well as domestically to 10 measure the size of objects or distances. However, use of a measuring tape in the outdoors can result in mud, dirt and excess water becoming trapped in the tape measure especially in the dip formed by the concave shaping of the measure tape. As such, when the tape measure is retracted, 15 the debris can cause jamming of the retracting mechanisms. This can result in the tape measure not being able to retract or reduce the efficiency of retracting and may cause permanent damage to the tape measure. Further, the scratching action of the debris can result In the indicia on the tape measure no longer being clearly and accurately readable. 20 Further as tape measures are often of concave shape, cleaning the tape measure can be difficult. Use of one's own clothing or rags are often ineffective as cleaning dirt or grime caught in the dip of the retracting tape measure, and this cleaning method relies on the laborious task of the user cleaning each section of the tape with their 25 thumb with sufficient pressure. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a cleaning device for a self retracting tape measure, the device comprising: first and second clamping arms shaped to receive 30 the tape measure therebetween and provide uniform contact across a width of the tape measure, whereby, the relative movement of the cleaning device along a length of the tape measure cleans the tape measure without deforming the tape measure. In one form, the first and second clamping arms have corresponding first and second 35 contact surfaces shaped to complement a curved shape of the tape measure wherein, the first contact surface is concave and the second contact surface is convex. -2- In one form, the first and second clamping arms are pivotally connected. In one form, the first and second contact surfaces comprise an inclined wall to collect 5 and divert any dirt off the tape measure, In one form, the cleaning device can be connected to the measuring tape. In a further form, the cleaning device can be integral with the body of a measuring tape, 10 In a second aspect, the invention provides for a cleaning device for a self retracting tape measure, the device comprising: a body comprising: a first component having a first contacting surface; a second component having a second contacting surface, the second component being operatively connected to the first component such that the 15 first and second contacting surfaces can clamp opposing sides of the tape measure, whereby the contacting surfaces are shaped to complement the shape of the tape measure The invention provides a cleaning device for self retracting tape measures or the like. 20 As will be appreciated, the invention provides a handheld cleaning device that can be held in one hand while holding a self retracting tape measure in the other, the cleaning device able to apply contact surfaces to either side of the tape. In one form, the cleaning device can have an actuator In the form of a triggering 25 button for releasing the contacting surface onto the surface of a measuring tape. in one form, the cleaning device can be connected to the retractable spool of the measuring tape such that the contacting surface is automatIcally released upon retraction of the measuring tape into the body. -3- Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, In which: Figure 1 is a top view of the cleaning device in accordance with one 5 embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section view taken along line A-A of Figure 1 in accordance with the embodiment of the invention presented in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the cleaning device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, whereby the first component has a cavity and is 10 removably connected to the cleaning element; Figure 4 is a side diagrammatic view of the cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention where the upper contacting surface is convex and complementary to the lower contacting surface which is concave, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 15 Figure 5 is a front perspective diagrammatic view of the first component of the cleaning device, having a combination shaped contact surface, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a front perspective diagrammatic view of the second component of the cleaning device with the embodiment presented in Figure 5; 20 Figure 7 is a top view of the cleaning device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention where the contacting surfaces of Figure 5 are connected by a pivotal point to the contacting surface in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a front view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented in Figure 7; 25 Figure 9 Is a side view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented In Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a rear view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented in Figures 7 to 9 Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the cleaning device connected to a 30 measuring tape, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a side view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented in Figure 11 where the actuator mechanism is a push button; Figure 13 is a side view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented in Figure 11 where the actuator is a retractable spool; 35 Figure 14 is a top view of the cleaning device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; -4- Figure 15 is a cross sectional diagrammatic view taken along lines B-B of Figure 14; Figure 16 Is a perspective view of the cleaning device in accordance with the embodiment presented in Figures 14 and 15; and, 5 Figure 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the cleaning device, shown in Figures 14 to 16. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The cleaning device 10 comprises of a housing 12. The housing 12 can be of plastic 10 steel casing, rubber or silicone. In the embodiments presented in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 12 is formed of a first component 14 acting as a base for a cleaning element 20. By example, in the embodiment presented In Figure 2, the cleaning element 20 can 15 be permanently connected or removably connected to the first component 14, as illustrated in Figure 3. Where it is removably connected, the cleaning element 20 can be removed and therefore replaced when desired or required to maintain the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning device 10. 20 The cleaning element 20 Is a contact surface comprising of a cleaning surface 21 comprising of one or a combination of an absorbing section 22 and resistance section 24. The absorbing section 22 can be of a foam or sponge layer to absorb liquid located 25 along the measuring tape. The resistance section 24 can be a rubber squeegee In order to provide a flat, smooth rubber surface to remove and control the flow of liquid on the surface of the measuring tape, The absorbing section 22 and resistance section 24 can be alternated along the 30 cleaning surface 21 in order to provide a synergistic cleaning device such that the absorbing section 22 absorbs the liquid directed to it by the resistance section 24 whilst removing any skid marks or residue that the resistance section may leave behind. 35 In the embodiment presented in Figure 1, the cleaning surface 21 provides for a first absorbing section 22 that is located between two resistance sections 24. In such an embodiment, the resistance section 24 acts to flow fluid to the absorbing section 22 -5rather than leaking such liquid off the tape 3 and creating a messy working environment. This Is further assisted by the concave shape of the retractable measuring tape 3 that will result in the flow of fluid moving to the centre curved portion of the tape, 5 In the embodiment where the cleaning surface 21 is removably connected to the first component 14, the first component 14 can have a hollowed cavity 18, The advantage of the cavity 18 is that the first component 14 provides a storage means for spare or unused cleaning elements 20. 10 In a further embodiment, the cleaning device 10 can have a used state and an unused state. In the used state, the cleaning element 20 is as shown in Figure 1 where the cleaning surface 21 is facing outwardly to be applied and made contactable to a measuring tape 3. In the unused state, the cleaning element 20 can 15 be inverted so that the cleaning surface 21 is faced inwardly and inside the cavity 18 so that it is protected from being damaged. The housing can also comprise of a second component 16 as illustrated in Figure 4. The second component 16 can encompass the same features and embodiments 20 described above with regard to the first component 14. In this further embodiment, the first component 14 and the second component 16 are connectable to one another or are connectable to an external object by a connection means. In one embodiment, the connection means can be a pivot joint 15. In another 25 embodiment, the connection means can be an adhesive as depicted in Figure 11 or an external object, such as the body I of the measuring tape, as depicted in Figure 13. The first component 14 can provide for a first contact surface.26 and the second 30 component 16 can provide for a second contact surface 28 where the first contact surface 26 and second contact surface 28 are complementarily shaped to act together to clamp and to fully enclose and encompass the top and bottom side of a measuring tape. 35 The cleaning surface 21 can be concave or convex or a combination of convex or concave surfaces with a flat surface may also be useful. -6- With reference to the embodiment comprising of a pivot joint 15 as per Figure 4, the pivot point 15 provides the cleaning device in the form of a clamp so as to clamp over the measuring tape as the tape is being pulled through. The first component can provide a cleaning element with a contact surface having a concave shape and the 5 cleaning surface of the second component can have a complementary convex shape. Such complementarity allows for a measuring tape to be housed between the lower contact surface 26 and the upper contact surface 28. In use, the measuring tape can be inserted by the direction of arrow 1 or arrow 2. In 10 Figure 4, pulling the tape 3 through the cleaning device 10 as per arrow 1, allows the curvature of the measuring tape 3 to be aligned with the curvature of the convex and concave angles of the contacting surfaces 26, 28. Alternatively however, arrow 2 in Figure 5 allows for dual cleaning methods. This allows the tape measure 3 to cross along the difference contact surfaces in different combinations and patterns. 15 The contact surface 21 can include a combination of both linear and curved shapes as illustrated In Figures 5 to 10. This allows for the single cleaning device to be used for rigid retractable measuring tapes and flat tapes and rulers. The arrows indicate the direction in which the 20 measuring tape/ruler can travel. Arrow 1 a indicates the direction a rigid ruler or retractable measuring tape can travel, arrow 1 b illustrates the direction a retractable measuring tape can travel. Alternatively, arrow 2 allows for retractable or flexible rulers to pass through both curved and linear contact surfaces. 25 Figure 5 and Figure 6 can be connected to form the image in Figure 7 by a pivot joint 15. The location of the pivot joint 15 will need to be located such that it does not interfere with the travelling direction of the tape 3. In the embodiment presented in Figure 11, the connection meant can be an 30 adhesive 32 allowing the cleaning device 10 to be located onto difference devices and positioned as desired. This allows the user not to have to use their own time in pressing the first component 16 and/or second component 28 together around a pivot joint but instead can be laid onto the floor as the measuring tape is withdrawn back into its case. 35 In the embodiment presented in Figure 12 and 13, the cleaning device can contain an actuator. -7- In an alternate embodiment of Figure 11, the first component 14 can be in a fixed position and located moveably and relative to the second component 16. In doing so the user can press onto the housing of the second component to stamp the first and 5 second contacting surfaces together 26, 28. In Figure 12, the actuator is in the form of a triggering button 30. In such an embodiment, the contacting surface 21 can be encased within the cavity 18 at a level flush with the lip portion 17. Upon activation of the triggering button 30, the contacting 10 surface 21 can be lifted to a position above the cavity and contactable with surface of the measuring tape 3. Once cleaning is finished, the triggering button 30 can be released and the contacting surface 21 can retain its stored position back into the cavity 18. 15 In the embodiment presented in Figure 13, the cleaning device can be manufactured with the body 1 of the measuring tape. The actuator in this embodiment is in the forrn of a retractable spool which is in the retracted phase whilst the user pulls the measuring tape for use. However, once such use is finished and the user retracts the measuring tape back into the body 1, the retraction causes the cleaning device 10 to 20 contact the surface of the surface of the measuring tape 3. In such embodiments, it is envisaged that either the first component 14 or second 16 can be used or the combination of both. 25 In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16, the device 10 comprises of a first component 14 in the form of a first clamping arm and a second component 16 in the form of a second clamping arm. Consistent with the above embodiments, a receiving aperture is formed between the 30 first component 14 and the second component 16 in which to receive the measuring tape. The receiving aperture in this embodiment extends only partway through the housing allowing the first component and second component to be connected together, The housing can be flexible to allow the first component and second component to be brought closer together to firmly contact the opposing sides of the 35 measuring tape.

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The first component 14 can provide for a first contact surface 26 and the second component 16 can provide for a second contact surface 28 where the first contact surface 26 and second contact surface 28 are complementarily shaped to act together to clamp and to fully enclose and encompass the top and bottom side of the 5 measuring tape. The first component can provide a cleaning element with a contact surface having a concave shape and the cleaning surface of the second component can have a complementary convex shape. Such complementarity allows for a measuring tape to 10 be received and housed between the lower contact surface 26 and the upper contact surface 28. The contact surfaces can be formed of such material desired to assist in scrubbing, removing and/or absorbing dirt. In an alternate embodiment, It is envisaged that the cleaning surfaces can be removed to allow for replacement cleaning surfaces. 15 In use, shown in Figure 17, the device is pushed against the tape to allow the measuring tape to be received and slided against the length of the measuring tape. The first component and second components are held by the thumb and forefinger of the user allowing the first component and second component to be firmly 20 squeezed/clamped against the measuring tape and moved across the length of the tape. It can then be seen that dirt and mud covering the measuring tape is removed as the cleaning device slides along either manually or as the measuring tape retracts. This embodiment further provides for an inclined wall 36 of the first component and 25 second component. The inclined wall 36 assists in collecting and diverting the dirt off the retracting measuring tape as the cleaning device slides down the length of the retracting tape. This embodiment further includes bristle like projections 38. The cleaning device 10 30 can be turned onto its side to allow the projections 38 to contact the retracting tape, It can be used to rub against stubborn dirt on particular areas of the retracting measuring tape. Such bristly like projections can also form part of the contact surfaces as shown in Figure 16 to provide a scrubbing action as the cleaning devices moves along the length of the measuring tape, 35 It can be seen that one or more of the above embodiments provides a shaping of the contacting surfaces that complements the shaped surfaces of the tape measure such -9 that, in use, the relative movement of the cleaning device along the length of the tape measure cleans the tape measure without deforming the tape measure. This is particularly an advantage given that the undesirable consequence of deforming the tape measure is that the measuring markings of the tape can wear off and further 5 cause the permanent deformation of the measuring tapes leading to loss in functionality. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that such modifications or changes to the particular embodiments exemplified can be made without departed from the scope of 10 the invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 15 20 -10-

Claims (5)

1. A cleaning device for a self retracting tape measure, the device comprising: first and second clamping arms shaped to receive the tape measure therebetween and provide uniform contact across a width of the tape 5 measure, whereby, the relative movement of the cleaning device along a length of the tape measure cleans the tape measure without deforming the tape measure. 10

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second clamping arms have corresponding first and second contact surfaces shaped to complement a curved shape of the tape measure wherein, the first contact surface is concave and the second contact surface is convex. 15

3. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second contact surfaces comprise an inclined wall to collect and divert any dirt off the tape measure.

4. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 20 cleaning device is connected to the measuring tape.

5. A cleaning device for a self retracting tape measure, the device comprising: a. a body comprising: i. a first component having a first contacting surface; 25 ii. a second component having a second contacting surface, the second component being operatively connected to the first component such that the first and second contacting surfaces can clamp opposing sides of the tape measure, whereby the contacting surfaces are shaped to complement the shape of the 30 tape measure. - 11 -