GB1600172A

GB1600172A - Record cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB1600172A
Application number: GB1621278A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Jonas K H
Current assignee: Jonas K H
Priority date: 1977-04-29
Filing date: 1978-04-25
Publication date: 1981-10-14
Also published as: NL7804644A; DE2719083A1

Description

(54) RECORD CLEANING DEVICE (71) I, KONRAD HANS JONAS, a German subject, of Lohrstrasse 3, 5900 Siegen, West Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a record cleaning device comprising a cleaning layer and a supporting body which can be provided with a cleaning fluid dispenser-if so desired.

Velvet or velour has been found to be the most suitable material as a cleaning layer for such a cleaning device and because it is a woven material it can be delivered in flat and even sheets. The sheets of velvet or velour have to cut into smaller pieces for the manufacture of these record cleaning devices and because of the cutting these small pieces are inclined to fray at their edges, as they have no woven selvedges. Concealment of these cut edges is important, therefore, not only for the purpose of making the device look neater, but also to ensure that no additional fluff gets into the cleaning device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a record cleaning device comprising a body with a cylindrically curved surface, and a cleaning fabric supported on said surface, the cleaning fabric at the axial ends of the cylindrically curved surface being folded back parallel to itself and curved in correspondence to said cylindrically curved surface.

Generally the body will be formed with plane surfaces axially bounding the said cylindrically curved surface. By folding and concealing the edges of the cleaning layer fabric a smooth transition can be achieved from the curved surface to the plane surfaces of the body of the cleaning device which enhances the appearance of the device greatly. Otherwise it would be necessary to cut the velvet or velour pieces in order to achieve a smooth transition from a curved to a plane surface. To cut the velvet or velour pieces would also prove to be expensive, since the cut edges would need to lie closely side by side leaving no spaces at all.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a record cleaning device comprising a fabric cleaning layer, a carrier having at least one cylindrically curved surface upon which said fabric cleaning layer is supported with its edge portions at the axial ends of the cylindrically curved surface, folded back and curved in correspondence to the cylindrically curved surface, a handle in the form of a housing fitting over the carrier, and clamping means for holding the fabric cleaning layer in position.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is an assembled cleaning device; Figure 3 is a stand associated with the cleaning device of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of this invention; Figure 5 is a detail in the manufacture of a third embodiment of this invention; Figure 6 is a further stage in the manufacture of the third embodiment; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the third embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a record cleaning device in exploded form.

The device includes a body formed by a carrier 1 and housing 4, and a fabric cleaning layer 2 which, with the device assembled, is supported on the carrier. The carrier 1 has a profile which resembles, in the main, the shape of the letter W but with cylindrically curved portions la upon which the fabric cleaning layer 2 is supported to form dust collecting surfaces 2a (Figure 2) for wiping a record; the said carrier also has half height end walls lb. The carrier 1, which is made up of plastics material, has two distinct side walls lf lg. The side walls If, lg, and the curved walls la are provided with a rebate Id. The curved walls la are separated by a transverse groove 1 C and joined together by a bridging wall le. The exterior surfaces of the carrier, that is the parts la, Id, If Ig, are to be covered with the fabric cleaning layer 2 and for this purpose velvet or velour pieces are used the side edges 2d of which are folded over towards the inside. The width of the fold 2d corresponds to the width of the rebate ld in the wall portions la, If, Ig, while the overall width of the piece of fabric 2 with its edges folded corresponds to the length of the carrier I considered axially of its cylindrically curved portions la. The depth of the rebate Id corresponds to the thickness of the fold 2d, whereby consideration has to be given to the fact that the piece of fabric 2 is to be provided with a thin layer of foam plastics on the inside. The piece of fabric 2 is fastened to the carrier I by means of a tension or clamping bar 3 which is provided with locating blocks 3h which penetrate through punched holes 2h in the piece of fabric (velvet or velour) and engage in corresponding openings lh of the carrier. The side walls If, I g of the carrier can furthermore be provided with teeth li onto which the piece of velvet can be hooked. As the clamping bar 3 with its locating blocks 3h engages into the openings lh, the piece of fabric 2 is stretched and held tightly over the exterior surface of the carrier. Instead of the locating blocks on the clamping bar 3, a transverse bar (wire bar) could be used to fasten the clamping bar 3 to the carrier 1.

The housing 4 serves to secure the fastening of the piece of fabric 2 onto the carrier 1.

The housing 4 is box-shaped and its walls have ribs 4f. 4g which press the piece of fabric 2 on the inside against the side walls If lg of the carrier 1 thereby concealing at the same time the remaining cut edges of the piece of fabric 2. On top of the housing is a recess 4a the longitudinal edges 4b of which serve as guides. The recess 4a serves to incorporate an auxiliary cleaning device 5; this device consists of a shaft 5a with a velour or velvet covered area 5b to serve as a cleaning device for the wiping surface 2a and on an extension of the shaft 5a there is a brush Sc for cleaning the needle.

A piece of brush velour mounted onto foam plastic can quite suitably be used for the brush velour area 5b, the said brush velour would be shaped and fitted into appropriate corresponding recesses in the shaft 5a in a manner similar to that which will be described in Figures 6 and 7. A longitudinal groove 5d on each side of the shaft 5a cooperates with the guide 4b in order that the auxiliary cleaning device 5 can be pushed into the recess 4a of the component 4 and close the same.

The unit formed by the body of the cleaning device and the fabric 2 (Figure 2) can, when not in use, be stored in a stand 6 (Figure 3). The stand 6 is, like the housing 4, box-shaped so that the dust accumulating surfaces 2a are completely enclosed when not in use. The box-shaped stand 6 can furthermore be used to moisten the fabric 2, when not in use, with an evaporatable cleansing fluid which is stored in the base of the stand.

This is achieved by means of two layers of absorbent material 7a, 7b. The upper layer 7a is white and the bottom layer 7b is black in colour. A plate 8 with funnel shaped holes 8a or slits. covers both layers of the absorbent material 7a, 7h. Evaporation of the cleansing fluid (Isopropyl alcohol and water) from the upper layer 7a through the holes 8a serves to slightly moisten the fabric 2, thereby inhibiting the build up of static charge on the fabric and facilitating the adhesion of dust to the fabric.

The colour of the perforated plate 8 is similar to that of the layer 7b whilst the layer 7a without the cleansing fluid appears to be white. When soaked with the cleansing fluid, however, it becomes transparent. Therefore as the layer 7a gradually uses up its cleansing fluid, the transparency gradually diminishes until a distinct colour contrast between the plate 8 and the perforations Sa is noticeable.

The layer 7a must now be soaked again with the cleansing fluid. As soon as that is done, the dark base of 7b can be seen through the layer 7a again and the contrast disappears.

Of course by colouring the layers 7a, 7b and plate 8 appropriately, colour contrasts other than the black/white contrast described above can be used for indicating that replenishment of the cleaning fluid is necessary.

The components 1 to 4 could also be looked upon as a container, with the additional cleaning device 5 forming a closure lid therefor. This of course makes it possible to store a cleansing fluid within this container in the same way as in the stand 6. In this case foam plastic or wadding strips 9 are inserted within the carrier 1 which is then covered by a plate 10. Perforations 1k in the curved portions 1 a allow the fluid to disperse slowly downwards. The plate 10 also has openings (which are not shown here) through which the foam plastic--or the wadding strips 9 can be saturated. These openings can be reached via the recess 4a of the housing 4 after the auxiliary cleaning device 5 has been removed. To determine at a glance the state of saturation of the plastic foam strips 9, these too can be divided into layers of two different colours as already described for the components 7a, 7b, 8, 8a.

Figure 4 shows the second embodimerit of this invention, where again, in order to give a clearer illustration, the different components are shown exploded. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment includes a body formed by a carrier 11 and a housing 14. The carrier 11 is covered with a piece of velvet or velour fabric 12, over an intermediate layer of plastic foam which is not shown here, by using the following method: a reasonably strong aluminium foil of a thickness of about 0.5 mm is first of all covered with a sheet of foam plastic and then with a layer of velvet or velour fabric 12. The foil is then punched out into rectangular pieces similar to the component 2 in Figure 1, whereby a strip alongside the edge is at the same time pressed or kinked to help form the fold 12d later. Because the folds 12d are later bent about a smaller diameter than the rest of the velvet or velour fabric 12, the corners of the punched out pieces are in the area of the anticipated folds 12d a little shorter. Because of this pre-pressing the fold 12d is easily managed either by placing the punched-out aluminium foil piece against a fitting edge or, indeed, by doing it by hand. The aluminium foil piece which has been covered with fabric and has been prepared in the aforementioned way (which looks similar to the component 2 in Figure 1') is now shaped in a press according to Figure 4. The carrier 11 is thus formed by the shaped aluminium foil piece.

The carrier 11 with its layer of fabric 12 is now ready to be placed into the box-shaped housing 14, which is similar to the housing 4, but has additional end walls 14a in order to cover the axial ends of the cylindricallycurved dust collecting surfaces 12a. The carrier 11 is in its lateral dimension a little in excess of the housing 14 so that upon insertion it springs back a little and is therefore wedged into the housing 14 tightly.

In order to secure the carrier in this position, a clamping bar 13 is provided which is inclined at both ends 13a and which is also slightly oversized so that it has to be wedged between the wall components 14e of the housing 14. With a drop of glue this position can be secured further.

When this device is completely assembled, it looks exactly like Figure 2 and can also be positioned in a stand like that of Figure 3.

The layer of fabric 12 can, as described before, be moistened with a cleaning fluid from below and/or from above.

The third embodiment of this invention is described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. A block of foam plastic 20 (Figure 5) has a base 20a, ends 20b, 20c, a top 20d and two longitudinal sides 20e. 20f A piece of velvet 22 is placed around the block of foam plastic 20 in such a way, that the base 20a and the two ends 20b, 20c are covered completely and the top 20d where it borders the two ends 20b, 20c is partly covered by the velvet 22.

The axis of symmetry which runs parallel to the longitudinal sides 20e, 20f is indicated 20g. When the block of foam plastic 20 together with the velvet 22 is folded about the axis 20g until the longitudinal sides 20e and 20f face upwards, the component 21 in Figure 6 results, in which corresponding parts have been indicated with the same reference letters. The base 20a has now become a curved bottom 2 lea and the top 20d now forms a groove 21d. As can be seen, the curved bottom 21a as well as the ends 21b and 21e are covered with the velvet without exposing a cut edge in these areas.

In Figure 7 is shown diagrammatically how it is possible to hold the block of foam plastic 20, now in a curved position as component 21, tightly in a firm position. A frame-shaped element 23 has recesses 23a, 23b which are provided with teeth 23c along the longitudinal edges thereof. Because of the internal tension of the curved component 21, the teeth 23c penetrate through the velvet 22 right into the underlying foam plastic so that the components 21 are held tightly and cannot easily be removed from the recesses 23a, 23b respectively.

In order to cover the still free cut edges of the piece of velvet in the sides 21 c, 21fa boxshaped housing 24 is provided which is comparable to the housing 4 and like the latter can have a groove to include an auxiliary cleaning device which is not shown here. The internal edge of the housing 24 is formed in such a way, that it wedges the frame-shaped element 23 tightly. For this purpose it is also possible to provide recesses 23d in the frame-shaped element 23 and corresponding locking notches inside the housing 24.

The cleaning device illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 can thus be seen to comprise a body formed by a housing 24 and a carrier, (the carrier itself being constituted by the foam plastic blocks 20 and the frame-shaped element 23). A stand 6 exactly the same as described above can also be provided. Furthermore, the cleaning fluid can likewise be dispensed onto the velvet from within the device. For this purpose an absorbent element 25, which extends into the grooves 21d of the curved components 21, serves as a cleaning fluid dispenser, distributing the cleaning fluid to the two components 21. The introduction of cleansing fluid into the device can be achieved through a closable recess like the recess 4a of the embodiment of Figure 1.

The embodiment of Figure 7 can be modified to have only one curved component 21 in a cage-like frame, thereby providing a smaller version of the cleaning device.

In order to improve or to increase the cleaning action even further, a ribbed or profiled velour or velvet can be used in all embodiments, because the ribs would effectively increase the dust accumulating surfaces.

It is to be noted that in all three described embodiments of the cleaning device, the fabric cleaning layer is supported around a cylindrically-curved surface and, has its edges folded over at least at the axial ends of this curved surface, has its edges folded back parallel to itself and curved in correspon dence to the cylindrically-curved surface.

Furthermore, the folded-over edges (and indeed all the boundary edges) of the fabric are concealed when the cleaning device is assembled.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A record cleaning device comprising a body with a cylindrically curved surface, and a cleaning fabric supported on said surface, the cleaning fabric at the axial ends of the cylindrically curved surface being folded back parallel to itself and curved in correspondence to said cylindrically curved surface.

2. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the body comprises a carrier mounting the said cleaning fabric, and a housing which fits over the said carrier to conceal all the boundary edges of the cleaning fabric.

3. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the housing and the carrier are secured together by frictional engagement, with the said cleaning fabric pressed between them.

4. A record cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the body has two cylindrically curved surfaces which support the cleaning fabric, the axes of said surfaces being parallel to one another and the surfaces being separated by a groove extending parallel to the axes of the cylindrically curved surfaces.

5. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the body is provided with a clamping bar shaped to wedge into the groove separating the said two cylindrically curved surfaces with said cleaning fabric between it and said body, whereby to stretch the cleaning fabric over the two cylindrically curved surfaces and secure it in position.

6. A record cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the body has a rebate at the ends of the or each cylindrically curved surface to accommodate the fold of the cleaning fabric.

7. A record cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the body comprises a metal foil element to one surface of which the said cleaning fabric is fastened, at least two opposite parallel edges of the said foil being folded over.

8. A record cleaning device as claimed ip Claim 2, wherein said carrier comprises at least one substantially rectangular block of foam plastic material to the base and two ends of which the said cleaning fabric is attached, the edges of the said fabric extending onto the top of said foam plastics block, the or each block of foam plastics being folded about a longitudinal axis of symmetry parallel to the sides of the block which are not covered with the cleaning fabric, whereby to form the said cylindrically curved surface the said fabric covered foam plastics block being fitted into said housing with the sides of the foam plastics block which are not covered by said cleaning fabric concealed.

9. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 8, in which the carrier further comprises a frame-shaped element having at least one opening into which the or a said cleaning fabric covered foam plastics block is engaged being retained therein by the resilience of the said foam plastics block tending to unfold.

10. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 9. in which the or each opening in the frame-shaped element has a plurality of teeth for retaining a said cleaning fabric covered foam plastics block therein.

11. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein there is further provided a cleansing fluid dispenser located in the groove formed by folding the said foam plastics block.

12. A record cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11, in which there is further provided a stand for receiving the said body of the device when not in use.

13. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 12, in which the stand is adapted by the provision of cleaning liquid absorbent components to serve as a moistening device for the fabric cleaning layer supported on said cylindrically curved surface.

14. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claim 13 in which the said cleansing liquid absorbent components include upper and lower layers, said stand being provided with a perforated cover plate the same colour as the lower liquid absorbent layer, and the upper liquid absorbent layer having a different colour from the cover plate when unsaturated but being substantially transparent when saturated whereby to provide, by contrasting with the cover plate, an indication of when the cleansing liquid needs replenishing.

15. A record cleaning device as claimed in Claims 1 to 14, in which the body is further provided with dispenser means for dispensing cleansing liquid via said cylindrically curved surface to the fabric cleaning layer.

16. A record cleaning device comprising a fabric cleaning layer, a carrier having at least one cylindrically curved surface upon which said fabric cleaning layer is supported with its edge portions, at the axial ends of the cylindrically curved surface, folded back and curved in correspondence to the cylindrically curved surface, a handle in the form of a housing fitting over the carrier, and clamping means for holding the fabric cleaning layer in position.

17. A record cleaning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4, or Figure 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. dence to the cylindrically-curved surface. Furthermore, the folded-over edges (and indeed all the boundary edges) of the fabric are concealed when the cleaning device is assembled. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A record cleaning device comprising a body with a cylindrically curved surface, and a cleaning fabric supported on said surface, the cleaning fabric at the axial ends of the cylindrically curved surface being folded back parallel to itself and curved in correspondence to said cylindrically curved surface.