GB2256361A

GB2256361A - Window cleaning aid

Info

Publication number: GB2256361A
Application number: GB9116759A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Acton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-05
Filing date: 1991-08-02
Publication date: 1992-12-09
Also published as: GB9112040D0; GB9116759D0

Abstract

A window cleaning device for cleaning the outside of windows from the inside comprises a U-shaped frame 1 with extendable legs, one of which is a handle while the other forms a support for a cleaning head. The legs extend to allow a single device to accommodate a large range of window configurations. These legs could be either individually adjustable or mechanically linked such that extending the handle extends the cleaning arm. The cleaning head may have a sponge 5, reversible with a blade 6 and is swivel-mounted to allow it to follow the contours of a window frame. Additional features could be:- Wash liquid piped to the cleaning head from either a separate reservoir and pump or a refillable, finger squashable, bag mounted next to a handle gripper. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW CLEANING AID This invention relates to an extendable/telescopic window cleaning device, whereby the operator works from the window side opposite to the side being cleaned.

Windows can, for a variety of reasons, often be difficult to clean from the outside of a building. Although these windows can often be opened, or have an adjacent opening, the open area available is often smaller than that of the window to be cleaned, in such situations it may impossible for a "fixed reach " cleaning aevice to clean the complete window area.

According to the present invention there is provided a window cleaning aid in the general form of a modified "U" shape the legs c which are extendable and or telescopic. One of the legs cf the "U" has an extension formed to make or become part of a handle, tne other leg of the "U" has an extension formed to support or terminates as a cleaning head/s. Leg length could be individually adjustable and or control led in such a manner that adjustment to the length of the handle side of the device results in a change.

or corresponding change, in length of the cleaning leg.

The handle grip/s could be positiorled to be opposite the cleaning head and spaced about it for a balanced grip.

The cleaning headYs of the device could be jointed to the "U" e#%en5i0 arm in such a manner that it can be rctated such that for example the as sponge can fit into the corner of a window.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example WI Li reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a window cleaning aid in an operational position s, windo'.,i frame. The device comprises of a "U" tube 1 Lt G 'nand-3rip/ paint~work protection sleeve 2, a handle 3, handle grips 4, a cleaning head extension arm 7 and tube clamp/adjusters 8. Interchangeable cleaning heads in the form of push fit wash sponge E and wiper blade 6 attachments are shown.The device is stown with both the cleaning head extension arm and the handle partially extended. The wall "W" may necessitate contraction of the arm arid handle to clean the right-hand side of the window.

Figure 2 shows an extension arm and cleaning head where both the wiper and sponge are mounted on a common head that is rotated to bring either t wiper or sponge into operation. The rotation of the head could be achIeved by the operator either directly turning the head itself or by operating a control rod passing through or along- the side of the "U" frame arm.

The cleaning head and extension arm 7 shown in Fig.1 and 2 can be easily withdrawn from the "U" arm and used independently.

Figure 3 shows a device as Fig.1\2 but fitted with a mechanism such that extension of the arm 7 is controlled from the handle side of the device. The mechanism shown comprises of a "U" arm mounted moulding or pressing 10, to which is fitted a gear 11, shaft 12, a flexible rack/spiral 13 ( attached to the cleaning head extension arm 7) and a handle 14. The extension arm 7 could incorporate a longitudinal groove to prevent axial rotation. The flexible rack or spiral 13 could be of tubular construction such that wash-liquid could be passed through it to the cleaning head of the device.

Figure 4 shows a device as fig.1 but fitted with two control calves configured such that with the thumb screws of the tube adjusters 8 released, etending the handle 3 extends the cleaning head and contracting the handle contracts the cleaning head. The extension control cable 15 has one end anchored to the handle at position 15a, passes through the tubular "U" frame tube 1, loops externally at point 1 , passes back between the "U" tube 1 and t#."--e extension tube 7 and has its other end anchored to this extension tube 7 at posit-ion 15b.The contraction control cable 16 is anchored to the handle at position 16a, passes internally between the handle and the "U" tube 17, wraps round the "U" tube mounted pulley 17 before passing back through the "U" tube to be attached to the end of the extension tube 7 at point Ib. The extension arm 7 and handle 3 could have two longitudinal grooves to rvet axial rotation and provide a path for the control cables.

Peferring to fir#ures 1 to t:- The í,nain members of the devices could be made of light weight tubing of sufficient strength to prevent any permanent deformation under operational conditions.

The cleaning heads could be retained to the extension arms 7 by push fit or clamp attachments with an additional retaining groove and "0" ring if required. The connection thus could allow rotation of the cleaning head such that for example the wash sponge may orientate itself to fit into the corner of a window, a thumb screw 19 could be fitted to add additional rotational resistance.

The wash sponge attachment 5 consists of a sponge and a mounting pad with a push fit tube attachment sleeve. The pad and sleeve could be a one piece moulding to which the sponge is glued or clipped.

The wiper blade 6 shown in Fig.1, 2 and 3 consists of a wiper rubber of "single-bead" or "P" section, retained in support rail to which is secured/screwed a centrally mounted pivot tube. This pivot tube could be jointed to the extension arm 7 by a semiflexible plastic tube of such a size that it is a "push fit" on the tube. The pivot could alternatively be moulded to form or incorporate a socket which fits onto the extension arm with a thumb screw for retention and rotational pressure adjustment.

The wiper rubber support and pivot could be moulded/cast as one piece.

The following additional features could be added (not shown on the diagrams): The window wiper attachment could be fitted with a sponge on its lead side.

Wash liquid could be piped to the wash sponge and or wiper via a transfer tube which could be either passed through the centre of the arm tubing or clipped to the outside.

The wash liquid could be held in a separate reservoir, liquid flow could be controlled from the vicinity of the handle gripper #ith a finger or palm operated pump and or one way valve.

; a simple form the wash liquid could be contained within a refil,'a'tle, finger squash'able, bag mounted next to a handle gr i piper.

Claims

1 A window cleaning device whereby the operator works on the opposite side to the side being cleaned and consisting of a modified "U" shape frame with extendable legs, one leg is formed as a handle the other leg is formed to support or terminates as a cleaning head/s.

2 A window cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 whereby the cleaning head extension arm can be extended from the handle side of the device.

3 A window cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 whereby the andle and extension arm are mechanically interlocked such that extension of the handle results in a corresponding extension of the are:; supporting the cleaning head.

4 A window cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim with interchangeable cleaning heads that are fixed, or swivel mounted with frictional control of the swivel action.

5 A window cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim with a wash sponge head.

6 A window cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim with a window wiper blade attachment.

A Awirdow cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim with window frame paintwork protection sleeve.

S A window wiper attachment as claimed in claim 6 and fitted with a sponge on its lead side.

9 A window cleaning device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 whereby wash liquid could be piped to the wash sponge and or wiper via a transfer tube which could be either passed directly through the centre of the arm tubing or clipped to the outside.

10 h window cleaning device as claimed in claim 9 whereby the wash liquid could be contained in a separate reservoir, liquid flow could be controlled from the vicinity of the handle gripper with a finger or palm operated pump and or one way valve.

11 A window cleaning device as claimed in claim 9 whereby the wash liquid could be contained within a refillable, finger squash'able, bag mounted next to a handle gripper.