GB2300116A

GB2300116A - Window cleaning mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2300116A
Application number: GB9508452A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Munro Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-04-26
Filing date: 1995-04-26
Publication date: 1996-10-30
Also published as: GB9508452D0

Abstract

A window cleaning mechanism comprises a carrier bar 3 bearing a sponge blade 8 and a wiper blade 9 extending across the window, support means in the form of a rocker mechanism 2 for moving the carrier bar across the window glazing 20, part of the rocker mechanism (14 figure 8) sliding in grooves 5 along opposite sides of the window frame 7, the rocker mechanism having a position in which one blade engages the surface of the window and another position in which the other blade engages the surface of the window and a pull cord 4 extending to the inside of the window operable via a pull bar (10 figure 2) to slide the rocker mechanism along the frame and to change the rocker mechanism between the two positions mentioned above. The mechanism may also include a trough 6 for water or cleaning solution into which the sponge blade 8 may be lowered, said trough may be filled from the interior of the window via a hole 11 and duct 12 within the window frame.

Description

WINDOW CLEANING MECHANISMS This invention is concerned with the cleaning of windows which is an essential but difficult task, particularly in high buildings or wherever external access is not readily available.

According to the present invention there is provided a window cleaning mechanism comprising an elongate carrier bearing a two-part cleaning means extending across the external surface of the glazing of the window; support means for the elongate carrier slidable along the frame of the window for moving the cleaning means across the glazing, the support means having a first position in which one part of the cleaning means is positioned to engage the external surface of the glazing and a second position in which the other part of the cleaning means is positioned to engage the external surface of the glazing; and a pull cord arrangement extending from the support means to the interior of the building having the window and operable, from the interior, for sliding the support means along the frame and for changing over the support means from said one position to said other position and back again.

The support means can include, at each end of the elongate carrier, a first block supporting the carrier and rockably engaged with a second block that is slidable along the frame of the window, the two blocks being engaged with one another such as to hold their relative positions during sliding of the second block along the frame drawn by the cord arrangement, and the cord arrangement being connected to these blocks such that, upon the blocks reaching either of the ends of sliding movement of the second block, further drawing force applied by the cord arrangement causes the first block to rock with respect to the second block thereby to change over the support means from said one position to said other position or back again.

One of the parts of the cleaning means can be an elongated sponge and the other can be an elongated wiper blade so that in said first position of the support means the sponge is applied to the glazing and in said second position of the support means the wiper blade is applied to the glazing.

The window cleaning mechanism can include an external trough that can be supplied with washing fluid from the interior of the building, the trough being positioned to be entered by the cleaning means at one end of the sliding movement of the support means.

The window cleaning mechanism of the invention can be operated in its entirety from within the building having the window to which the mechanism is fitted and thus the problems posed by difficult external access are avoided.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from the exterior of a window fitted with mechanism for cleaning the glazing of the window, Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view from the interior of the window, Figure 4 shows a detail of the window, Figure 5 is a sectional view on line V-V in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows an alternative version of the detail shown in Figure 4, Figure 7 is a sectional view on line VII-VII in Figure 6, Figure 8 is a side view of a further detail of the window, Figure 9 is a plan view of the detail shown in Figure 8, Figure 10 shows another detail of the window, Figures 11, 12 and 13 are sectional views on lines XI XI, XII-XII and XIII-XIII respectively in Figure 10, Figure 14 shows a detail of the window, Figure 15 is a sectional view on line XV-XV in Figure 14, Figure 16 is a sectional view of an alternative form, as on line XVI-XVI in Figure 14, Figure 17 shows another detail of the window, Figure 18 is a sectional view on line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17, Figure 19 shows a window frame of conventional construction, and Figure 20 shows a modified window frame.

The window frame shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 has a frame 7 and glazing 20. The mechanism for cleaning the glazing 20 fitted to this window includes a carrier bar 3 extending (in the example shown) horizontally across the outside of the window. The bar 3 has fitted to it a two-part cleaning arrangement in the form of a sponge blade 8 and a wiper blade 9, as best shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, both extending across the entire width of the glazing 20.

At each end the carrier bar 3 is fast in a rocker mechanism 2 shown best in Figures 8 and 9. This mechanism includes a carrier bar support block 13 to which the bar 3 is fitted, either by the engagement of pins 23 (Figures 14 and 15) carried by the bar 3 in holes 17 (Figures 8 and 9) in the block 13, or by the engagement of pins carried by the block 13 in bores 24 (Figure 16) extending throughout the length of the bar 3. The arrangement of Figure 16 is advantageous in that the bar 3 can be simply cut to a desired length before installation.

The block 13 has a curved cam face slidably engaged with a cam face in a sliding block 14, as shown at 15 in Figures 8 and 9, so that the block 13 can rock with respect to the block 14. Preferably the engaging faces of the blocks 13 and 14 are roughened to provide a certain resistance to rocking of the block 13.

The sliding blocks 14 of the rocker mechanisms 2 at each end of the bar 3 slide in grooves 5 provided in the exterior faces of the side members of the frame of the window. The grooves can be cut into an existing window frame, or provided during the making of a window frame. Each groove 5 is partially closed to the exterior so that each block 14 extends from, but is retained within, a compartment 22 running along the length of the window frame side member. This retention of the sliding blocks 14 ensures that there is contact pressure between the sponge blade 8/wiper blade 9 and the glazing 20. At one end each groove 5 is left wholly open to the exterior, and widened if necessary, to allow removal of the rocker mechanisms 2 and the carrier bar 3.

A pull cord arrangement operable from the interior is provided for selecting which of the sponge blade 8 or wiper blade 9 is to be operative and for moving the carrier bar up and down. A cord 4 at each side runs from one stop end 16 at the carrier bar support block 13 through a guide hole 19 (Figures 8 and 9) in the support. block 13 and through a guide hole 18 in the sliding block 14. From the guide hole 18 the cord 4 enters the compartment 22 along which it runs to an access hole 21 leading to an insert 1 in the corner of the window frame 7. The insert 1 can be round (Figures 4, 5 and 10) or rectangular (Figures 6 and 7) and in each case presents an arcuate guide groove 1A around which the cord 4 passes to enter the interior of the building.

The cord 4 runs, in the interior, to another insert 1 in the next corner of the window frame 7 where it passes around the guide groove 1A in this insert, through another access hole 21 and back into the compartment 22. It then runs along the compartment 22 back to the sliding block 14, through another guide hole 18 in this block to and through another guide hole 19 in the support block 19, where it terminates in another stop end 16.

At a convenient location in the interior, the cords 4 carry a horizontal pull bar 10 (Figure 3) extending across the window. The length of the cords 4 is suc that the pull bar is rotated to grip the cords 4. This grip can therefore be released so that the pull bar 10 can be moved to a fresh location which is advantageous if the window is a tall one.

As shown in Figure 1, at the foot of the window frame 7 there is, externally, a trough 6 for water/cleaning solution. This trough can be filled from the interior via a hole 11 in the frame 7 which opens into a duct 12 extending to the trough 6. The route of the duct 12 includes a U-trap (not shown) to prevent ingress of insects.

In order to clean the glazing 20 the trough 6 is filled and the pull bar 10 is suitably located and then rotated to grip the cords 4. With the sponge blade 8 positioned to be in engagement with the glazing, the bar 10 is manipulated to move the cords 4 to lower the sponge blade into the trough. The bar 10 is then further manipulated to move the sponge blade up and down the glazing 20, and back into the trough 6 as necessary, until the glass is clean. Dirty fluid sponged into the trough is displaced by filling with clean fluid.

At the conclusion of sponging the pull bar 10 is pulled downwardly to move the carrier bar 3 to its uppermost limit and further downward pressure is applied to the pull bar 10. As the sliding blocks 14 can move no further, this further pressure causes the carrier bar support blocks 13 to rock, in the sense to lift the sponge blade 8 away from the glazing 20 and lower the wiper blade 9 onto the glazing. The pull bar 10 can then be manipulated to move the wiper blade to wipe away excess fluid and thus complete the cleaning operation.

To return the sponge blade 8 to its operative position the pull bar 10 is raised to drop the carrier bar 3 to its lowermost limit and further upward pressure applied to rock the support blocks 13 in the sense to lift the wiper blade 9 away from the glazing 20 and lower the sponge blade 8 onto the glazing. The cleaning mechanism is thus made ready for commencing a fresh cleaning operation.

The roughening of the engaging sliding faces of the blocks 13 and 14 ensures that blade change over only occurs when the carrier bar 3 is at either its uppermost or its lowermost position and further pressure is applied.

Normally plastics window frames are made from sections of extruded plastics cut to length and fuse-welded together at 450 as shown in Figure 19 at 25. To facilitate fitment of the cleaning mechanism described above, the lengths can, instead, be cut at 900 as shown in Figure 20 (also at 25) and joined at corner blocks 26 that incorporate the inserts 1.

It will be appreciated that the cleaning mechanism described above can be incorporated in windows during manufacture, or retro-fitted to existing windows. The frames can be of any material customarily used. The carrier bar 3 and the blades 8 and 9 which it carries can be sufficiently flexible to accommodate horizontal cross bars. Mullions can be accommodated by cutting out short lengths of the blades 8 and 9.

The cleaning mechanism can also be fitted with the carrier bar 3 vertical for moving from side to side across panels as in sliding patio doors.

The cleaning mechanism is operated in its entirety from inside the building whose windows are fitted with the mechanism and this is extremely advantageous, particularly in high buildings.

In the case of fitting to existing frames of any other material customarily used thecompartment 22 may be added to the outside of the frame,fixed in place by screwnails or adhesive.

Claims

1 A mechanism to allow the remote cleaning of the surfaces of glazing units comprising an arm moving from edge to opposite edge of the glazing unit, a means of controlling this movement and means for applying and maintaining pressure between the surface of the glazing unit and the cleaning surface.

2 A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein fluid for washing the glazing surface may be introduced remotely.

3 A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moving arm holds a multiple blade assembly for different operations.

4 A mechanism as claimed in claims 1 2 and 3 wherein the multiple blade assembly can be remotely manipulated to alter the positions of the blades as required for different operations.

5 A mechanism as claimed in claims 1,3 and 4 wherein the means for controlling the movement of the arm holding the multi-blade assembly is also used to 5 (cont'd) to alter the positions of the blades as required for different operations.

6. A MECHANISM AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM 5. WHEREIN THE GUIDE MEANS MAY BE MANUFACTURED INTEGRALLY IN NEW GLAZING UNITS OR SEPARATELY TO BE FITTED RETROSPECTIVELY TO EXISTING GLAZING UNITS.

6 A mechanism as claimed in claims 1 and 5 wherein the ends of the arm holding the multi-blade assembly are located into a guide system, which, combined with the means for altering the blade positions and the tensions in the means of moving the arm, keep a uniform pressure between the blade in use and the glazing unit surface, by the co-operation of these parts of the mechanism.

7 A mechanism as claimed in claims 1-6 wherein the changing of blade positions may be initiated by a definite, positive action by the operator or simply by changing the direction of motion of the arm holding the blade assembly.

8 A mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein the guide means may be manufactured integrally in the manufacture of new glazing units, or separately be fitted to existing glazing units.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A MECHANISM TO ALLOW THE REMOTE WASHINGANIPING OF GLAZING UNITS, COMPRISING AN ARM MOVING FROM EDGE TO OPPOSITE EDGE OF THE GLAZING UNIT,A MEANS OF CONTROLLING THIS MOVEMENT,MEANS FOR APPLYING AND MAINTAINING CONTACT PRESSURE BETWEEN THE SURFACE OF THE UNIT AND THE CLEANING EDGE OF THE MECHANISM AND THE INNOVATIVE STEP WHICH ALLOWS THE OPERATOR TO CONTROL THE SWITCHING FROM ONE WASHING EDGE IN USE TO ANOTHER WIPING EDGE BEING BROUGHT INTO USE.

2. A MECHANISM AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM 1. WHEREIN FLUID FOR WASHING MAY BE REMOTELY INTRODUCED TO ALLOW THE COMPLETE OPERATION TO BE CARRIED OUT FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE BUILDING HOUSING THE GLAZING UNIT.

3.A MECHANISM AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM 1. WHEREIN THE MOVING ARM HOLDS A MULTIPLE-BLADED ASSEMBLY FOR DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE WASH/WIPE OPERATION AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE TRANSFER FROM ONE MODE OF OPERATION TO ANOTHER BY WAY OF A DEFINITE ACTION BY THE OPERATOR.

4.A MECHANISM AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS 1 AND 3.WHEREIN THE MEANS FOR MANIPULATING THE SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH THE GLAZING UNIT IS ALSO THE MEANS FOR MOVING THE MECHANISM FROM ONE EDGE OF THE GLAZING UNIT TO THE OPPOSITE EDGE.

5. A MECHANISM AS CLAIMED IN PREVIOUS CLAIMS WHEREIN THE ENDS OF THE ARM HOLDING THE MULTI BLADE ASSEMBLY ARE LOCATED IN A GUIDE SYSTEM,WHICH, COMBINED WITH THE MEANS FOR MANIPULATING THE BLADE POSITIONS,MAINTAINS A CONSTANT,UNIFORM PRESSURE BETWEEN THE BLADE AND THE GLAZING UNIT ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE BLADE.