GB2453346A

GB2453346A - Adjustable squeegee

Info

Publication number: GB2453346A
Application number: GB0719337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Dixon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-03
Filing date: 2007-10-03
Publication date: 2009-04-08
Also published as: GB0719337D0

Abstract

An adjustable squeegee 1 for removing liquid from a surface, such as windows, comprises telescoping inner and outer channels 70, 90, a support 5 and a cleaning element 55 held in sliding engagement with at least one of the channels and retained in the outer channel 90 by the support 5. Preferably, the cleaning element 55 is provided, along its entire length, with a blade 60 and a securing bead 65; it is longer than a combined length of the channels, any excess cleaning element protruding from an end of the channels being held by a securing clip 120. Both channels 70, 90 may include a securing bead receiving portion, and flat and curved walls fitted at their free end with a lip (110, 115, Figure 7) for providing a uniform deflection surface for blade 60. The support 5 may comprise a tube 10 surrounding the securing bead 65, and a grip 15 with wings 45 and protrusions (35, Figure 4) to prevent sliding along the outer channel 90. The squeegee 1 can include a handle.

Description

ADJUSTABLE SQUEEGEE

[001] This invention relates to a squeegee suitable for cleaning surfaces such as windows and in particular to a squeegee in which the length of the blade used to clean the window is adjustable.

[002] The problem of cleaning windows is well-known. The usual method of cleaning windows involves two main steps. Firstly, a cleaning solution is applied to the surface of the window. This is normally done with a sponge. Secondly, the cleaning solution, and any associated dirt and grease, is cleared from the window's surface. This operation is normally carried Out using a window cleaning device comprising a blade made of rubber or a similarly deformable material that is held within a channel, the channel being clamped in a handle. The blade is scraped across the surface of the window, thereby removing the cleaning solution.

Such a device is commonly known as a squeegee.

[003] Squeegees are conventionally manufactured in fixed lengths, for example 20cm, 30cm, 40cm etc. Such squeegees are used to clean windows that are not of a height and width that corresponds to the length of the squeegee. Thus, the user of the squeegee must make several strokes either vertically or horizontally in order to remove the cleaning solution from a window.

[004] In order to try to resolve this problem, professional window cleaners use a technique in which the squeegee blade is applied to the window in a fanning motion. This is known as the fanning technique.

This technique enables cleaning solution to be cleared from the window faster than the vertical/horizontal stroke method. However, it is still not ideal because the way in which the squeegee blade is moved across the window causes curved lines to be left behind on the glass.

[005] Some professional window cleaners cut squeegees to the exact size of the window to be cleaned. The cleaning solution can therefore be cleared from the window in a single vertical or horizontal stroke, greatly increasing the efficiency with which windows can be cleaned. This is particularly useful when the window cleaner needs to clean many windows of the same size. However, the lack of adaptability of such a device means that it does not provide an advantage in situations where the window cleaner needs to clean windows of a variety of sizes.

[0061 One proposal for an adjustable squeegee is shown in US patent no. 2,814,822 in the name of Page. In this patent a single rubber blade provided with enlarged ends is secured at each end within a channel member. At one of its ends the channel member has inner and outer channels that are in frictional contact with the channel member and grip the enlarged end of the blade. By sliding these channels out of the channel member the squeegee blade is stretched so that its length can be adapted to suit the size of window to be cleaned. However, the problem with such a device is that the type of rubber most suitable for use as a blade of a window cleaning squeegee is not very stretchable, meaning that the range of adjustment is severely limited. In addition, stretching the blade at its ends can cause its centre to bow away from the window to be cleaned during use, resulting in unsatisfactory removal of the soiled cleaning solution.

[007] An alternative adjustable window cleaning squeegee is shown in US patent no. 629,851 in the name of Glen et al. The device of this patent comprises two rubber blades, each held in a separate channel. Both channels are held in a u-shaped clamping head. The channels are arranged such that their outer surfaces slide past each other whilst being held within the head. In order to limit the movement of the channels they have slots formed in them that are engaged by a bolt which also passes through the u-shaped head. Once both blades are in position the bolt is tightened to hold them in place. The problem with this arrangement is that the use of two separate blades means that there is a discontinuity where the two blades meet. This is undesirable as it can result in uneven removal of the soiled cleaning solution from the window.

[008] An alternative two-blade adjustable squeegee to the Glen device is disclosed in US patent no. 5,809,608 in the name of Zadro. This device also has the problem that there is a discontinuity where the two blades meet. In addition, the blades are not held within channels. This means that they deform very easily and can be difficult to evenly apply to a surface to be cleaned.

[009] A way of ameliorating these problems has been sought.

[010] According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable squeegee suitable for removing liquid from a surface, the adjustable squeegee comprising telescoping inner and outer channels, a support and a cleaning element held in sliding engagement with at least one of the channels, wherein the cleaning element is retained in the outer channel by the support.

[0111 The squeegee preferably has a proximal side which in use is proximal to the user and a distal side which in use is distal to the user, the inner and outer channels defining a uniform proximal edge that supports the cleaning element in order to provide even application of the cleaning element to the surface. The uniform proximal edge provides more efficient removal of liquid from a surface. More preferably, the uniform proximal edge comprises a lip extending at right angles from a proximal wall of the outer channel such that it abuts a free end of a proximal wall of the inner channel.

[0121 It is preferred that the cleaning element comprises a blade for application to a surface to be cleaned and a securing bead provided along the entire length of a first longitudinal edge of the cleaning element. The securing bead assists in retaining the blade in the adjustable squeegee.

[013] Preferably the inner channel comprises: (a) a securing bead receiving portion, and (b) a flat distal wall and a curved proximal wall for accommodating the blade and defining a range of deflection of the blade; and the outer channel comprises: (c) a securing bead receiving portion, (d) a flat distal wall and a curved proximal wall for accommodating the blade and defining a range of deflection of the blade, and (e) a lip on each free end of the flat and curved walls for defining a range of deflection of the blade such that it is substantially the same as the range of deflection defined by the walls of the inner channel.

The curved proximal walls of the inner and outer channels allow the blade to deflect by a predetermined amount and they assist in providing even application of the blade to the surface.

[0141 Preferably the support comprises a tube which surrounds at least part of the securing bead and which in use extends along at least part of the outer channel. More preferably the tube protrudes from the outer channel in use. This assists the user in locating the inner channel into the outer channel when assembling the adjustable squeegee.

1015) Preferably the support comprises a grip for preventing the support from sliding along the outer channel. The grip is preferably fitted at an end of the outer channel that is distal from the end from which the inner channel extends. It is also preferred that the grip comprises wings that abut the end of the outer channel at which the grip is fitted. The grip preferably comprises protrusions on an inner surface for gripping the cleaning element.

[016) It is preferred that the cleaning element is longer than a combined length of the channels when they are in a retracted state. More preferably the cleaning element is longer than a combined length of the channels when they are in an extended state.

[017] Preferably at least one securing clip is provided on at least one of the inner and outer channels for holding any excess cleaning element that protrudes from an end of those channels. This prevents the excess cleaning element from obstructing the cleaning operation. The position of the at least one securing clip may be fixed, or the at least on securing clip may be movable and/or detachable. The at least one securing clip may be provided with protrusions its the surface that cooperate with depressions on the surface of the inner and/or outer channels in order to locate the clip at predetermined positions on the channel(s). It is preferred that the at least one securing clip is provided on a side of the squeegee which in use is proximal to the user.

[018] Preferably the adjustable squeegee of the present invention additionally comprises a handle. More preferably, the handle comprises jaws for releasably gripping the inner and outer channels.

[019] It is preferred that the blade comprises a deformable material.

[020] The present invention will be further described in greater detail by reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable squeegee of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of a support for use in the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the support of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an end view of the support of Figure 2 from direction A indicated in that Figure; Figure 5 shows an end view of the support of Figure 2 from direction B indicated in that Figure in which the cleaning element is shown; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an inner telescoping channel for use in the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an outer telescoping channel for use in the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner and outer telescoping channels for use in the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1 through line C-C in Figure 1; Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1 through line D-D in Figure 1; Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1 through line E-E in Figure 1 in which the cleaning element is not shown; Figure 12 shows a view of the adjustable squeegee of Figure 1 from below; Figure 13 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the adjustable squeegee in extended form; Figure 14 shows a plan view of the adjustable squeegee of Figure 13 in retracted form; Figure 15 shows the view of Figure 9 in which the cleaning element is deflected; Figure 16 shows the view of Figure 10 in which the cleaning element is deflected; and Figure 17 shows the view of Figure 11 in which the fixed securing clip is replaced with a movable securing clip.

[021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable squeegee 1 of the present invention. The adjustable squeegee 1 has a proximal side which in use is proximal to the user, and a distal side which in use is distal from the user. This perspective view is from the proximal side of the adjustable squeegee. The adjustable squeegee 1 comprises a cleaning element 55, a support 5, an inner channel 70 and an outer channel 90. The cleaning element 55 comprises blade 60 for removing liquid from a surface and securing bead 65.

[022] The support 5 is shown in more detail in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The support 5 comprises tube 10 which is circular in cross-section and at one end has end grip 15. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the end grip 15 and the tube 10 of the support 5 are formed as one piece.

However, in alternative embodiments the support 5 be formed as separate pieces, for example as a tube that is surrounded at one end by an end grip. The support 5 receives the cleaning element 55.

[023] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a gap 20 is provided along the entire length of the tube 10 of support 5. The gap 20 is shaped such that when the cleaning element 55 is slid into the support 5, the securing bead 65 fits within the tube 10 and the blade 60 protrudes through the gap 20.

The gap 20 is large enough to accommodate the blade 60, but is too small for the securing bead 65 to pass through it.

[024] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, end grip 15 of support 5 surrounds one end of tube 10 and comprises circular part 24 and clamping faces 25,30. End grip 15 is for securing cleaning element 55 in support 5. The clamping faces 25,30 of end grip 15 each have an inner surface facing towards the opposing clamping face and an outer surface facing away from the opposing clamping face. The inner surfaces of the clamping faces 25, 30 each have three protrusions 35 extending from them, indicated by indentations 40 on the outer surfaces of the clamping faces 25, 30. Securing wings 45, 50 are provided at the end of the clamping faces 25, 30 that is distal from the end from which the tube 10 extends.

[025] Clamping faces 25, 30 are generally planar and extend away from the circular part 24 of end grip 15 approximately in line with the edges of the gap 20 formed in tube 10. The protrusions 35 of the clamping faces 25, 30 are shaped to grip the blade 60 of the cleaning element 55 that protrudes through gap 20 of tube 10.

[026] Securing wings 45, 50 extend away from the jaws 25, 30 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the jaws 25, 30. The securing wings 45, 50 abut the end of outer channel 90 to stop the support 5 from sliding further into the inner 70 and outer 90 channels.

[027] An alternative means of retaining the cleaning element 55 in the outer channel 90 is to provide a cleaning element 55 in which the support is integral with the cleaning element 55. One way of doing this is to form at least the securing bead 65 of the cleaning element 55 such that it is more rigid than the remainder of the cleaning element 55. This can be done by providing a securing bead 65 made from a more rigid type of rubber, and/or involve reinforcing of the securing bead 65 with a plastics material and/or a metal. The rigid part of the securing bead 65 would extend from one end of the cleaning element 55 and would be similar in length to the tube 10. The provision of a cleaning element 55 with a more rigid securing bead 65 means that the tube 10 is no longer required to retain the cleaning element 55 in the outer channel 90. However, it is still advantageous to use the end grip 15 in order to stop the cleaning element 55 from sliding along the outer channel 90.

[0281 As depicted in Figure 6, 8 and 10, inner channel 70 comprises a rounded portion 75, a flat wall 80 and a curved wall 85. The inner channel 70 is shaped to receive the cleaning element 55. As shown in Figure 10, the rounded portion 75 of inner channel 70 is shaped to accommodate the securing bead 65 of the cleaning element 55 and the tube 10 of the support 5. The flat 80 and curved 85 walls accommodate the blade 60 of the cleaning element 55 and define the range of deflection of the blade 60. The walls 80, 85 extend away from the rounded portion in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the blade 60 of the cleaning element 55 (not shown). The curved wall 85 extends further away from the rounded portion 75 than the flat wall 80, and the curved wall 85 also curves away from the flat wall 80.

[029] The diameter of the rounded portion 75 of the inner channel 70 is slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 10 of the support 5. This is so that the tube 10 can slide into the inner channel 70. However, the diameter of the rounded portion 75 of the inner channel 70 and the gap between flat wall 80 and curved wall 85 is too small to allow the inner channel 70 to slide over the end grip 15 of the support 5.

[030] As shown in Figure 11, the inner channel 70 is provided with securing clip 120 for securing excess cleaning element 55. Securing clip has a gap 125 which is shaped such that the blade 60 of the cleaning element can be inserted through it. Securing clip 120 is fixedly attached to same side of the rounded portion 75 of the inner channel 70 as curved wall 85. The diameter of the securing clip 120 is such that in use it can closely fit around the securing bead 65 of the cleaning element 55. The securing clip 120 is generally of a shorter length than the inner channel so that it does not restrict the telescopic movement of the inner channel 70 into and out of the outer channel 90.

[031] In use, securing clip 120 can hold any excess blade that protrudes from the end of inner channel 70 so that it does not obstruct use of the

adjustable squeegee.

[032] In an alternative embodiment of the adjustable squeegee 1 of the present invention depicted in Figure 17, the securing clip 120 may be a separate piece slidably fitted to the inner channel 70. This can be done by providing the securing clip with a rounded clasp 126 that clips onto the rounded portion 75 of inner channel 70. In further alternative embodiments, the securing clip 120 can be fixed or slidably fitted to the outer channel 90, or securing clips 120 can be fitted to both the inner 70 and outer 90 channels. In an additional alternative embodiment, protrusions are provided on the rounded clasp 126 and depressions on the rounded portions 75,95 of the inner 70 and/or outer 90 channels so that the rounded clasp 126, and therefore the securing clip 120, can be moved between one or more predetermined positions.

[0331 As depicted in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, outer channel 90 is shaped to receive the cleaning element 55 and support 5, optionally with inner channel 70 (as shown in Figure 8 or 10) or optionally with end grip 15 (as shown in Figure 9). Outer channel 90 comprises a rounded portion 95 for receiving the securing bead 65 of the cleaning element 55 and support 5 optionally with the rounded portion of inner channel 70, and flat wall 100 and a curved wall 105 for accommodating the blade 60 of the cleaning element 55. The walls 100,105 are shaped correspondingly to the walls 80,85 of the inner channel 70 so that the inner channel 70 can be inserted into outer channel 90. The distance between walls 100,105 is such that tube 10 cannot pass between the walls 100,105, thereby assisting in retaining the cleaning element 55 in the outer channel 90.

[034] The flat wall 100 and the curved wall 105 of the outer channel 90 comprise lips 110 and 115 respectively at their free ends. The lips 110, on each wall extend along the length of the outer channel 90 approximately at right angles to the plane of their respective walls 100, 105. Lips 110,115 are shaped to abut the respective ends of the walls 80,85 of the inner channel 70 when the inner channel 70 is inserted into the outer channel 90. Lips 110,115 are shaped to provide a uniform deflection surface for blade 60.

[035] As is shown in Figures 15 and 16, in use the curved walls 85,105 are on a side of the adjustable squeegee that is proximal to the user and the flat walls 80,100 are on a side that is distal to the user. When the blade 60 is applied to a surface to be cleaned, the blade 60 deflects away from the surface such that it abuts lip 115 of the curved wall 105 and curved wall 85. Lip 115 and curved wall 85 are arranged to be co-planar.

The degree of curvature of the curved walls 85,105 is such that they provide an even application of the blade 60 to the surface to be cleaned.

The curved wall 85 of the inner channel 70 and the lip 115 of curved wall 105 of the outer channel 90 provide a uniform edge on the proximal side of the adjustable squeegee 1. Thus, when blade 60 is deflected towards the curved walls 85, 105 of the inner 70 and outer 90 channels respectively during use, it is only permitted to be deflected by the same degree whether it abuts lip 115 of the outer channel 90 (as shown in Figure 15), curved wall 85 of the inner channel 70, or both lip 115 and curved wall 85 (as shown in Figure 16).

[0361 In use, the telescoping inner 70 and outer 90 channels are adjusted so that their combined length corresponds to the length of blade 60 that is required by the user. From a starting position in which the inner channel is inserted as far as it will go into the outer channel 90, this adjustment is carried out by sliding the inner channel 70 out of the outer channel 90 until the combined length of the inner 70 and outer 90 channels corresponds to the required length of blade 60. An example of a desired arrangement of the inner 70 and outer 90 channels is shown in Figure 1. The inner 70 and outer 90 channels are held in this arrangement by the friction between these two channels. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner 70 and outer 90 channels may be locked in position by a lock (not shown).

[037] As shown in Figure 12, any excess cleaning element 55 that protrudes from the inner channel 70 is bent back and fed through securing clip 120.

[038] Figures 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of an adjustable squeegee 150 according to the invention. Like features to the first embodiment are indicated with like reference numerals. For ease of reference the support 5 is not shown in Figure 14, although its position relative to the outer channel 90 is the same as in Figure 13.

[039] The second embodiment comprises the first embodiment supported by a handle 130. The views shown are from the side of the adjustable squeegee 150 which is proximal to the user when the device is in use.

Handle 130 comprises handheld portion 135 and adjustable jaws 140.

Within the jaws 140 are gripped the telescoping inner 70 and outer 90 channels. The inner 70 and outer 90 channels are gripped at roughly halfway along their combined length.

[040] When the inner 70 and outer 90 channels are in extended form as shown in Figure 13, no excess cleaning element 55 protrudes from the inner channel 70 and therefore no cleaning element 55 is accommodated by securing clip 120. However, inner channel 70 is still partially inserted in outer channel 90. When the inner 70 and outer 90 channels are in retracted form as shown in Figure 14, a significant amount of excess cleaning element 55 protrudes from inner channel 70. This excess cleaning element 55 is held in the securing clip 120.

Claims

1. An adjustable squeegee suitable for removing liquid from a surface, the adjustable squeegee comprising telescoping inner and outer channels, a support and a cleaning element held in sliding engagement with at least one of the channels, wherein the cleaning element is retained in the outer channel by the support.

2. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 1, wherein the squeegee has a proximal side which in use is proximal to the user and a distal side which in use is distal to the user, the inner and outer channels defining a uniform proximal edge that supports the cleaning element in order to provide even application of the cleaning element to the surface.

3. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 2, wherein the uniform proximal edge comprises a lip extending at right angles from a proximal wall of the outer channel such that it abuts a free end of a proximal wall of the inner channel.

4. An adjustable squeegee as claimed.in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning element comprises a blade for application to a surface to be cleaned and a securing bead provided along the entire length of a first longitudinal edge of the cleaning element.

5. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inner channel comprises: (a) a securing bead receiving portion, and (b) a flat distal wall and a curved proximal wall for accommodating the blade and defining a range of deflection of the blade; and the outer channel comprises: (c) securing bead receiving portion, (d) a flat distal wall and a curved proximal wall for accommodating the blade and defining a range of deflection of the blade, and (e) a lip on each free end of the flat and curved walls for defining a range of deflection of the blade such that it is substantially the same as the range of deflection defined by the walls of the inner channel.

6. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the support comprises a tube which surrounds at least part of the securing bead and which in use extends along at least part of the outer channel.

7. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tube protrudes from the outer channel in use.

8. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a grip for preventing the support from sliding along the outer channel.

9. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 8, wherein the grip is fitted at an end of the outer channel that is distal from the end from which the inner channel extends.

10. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 9, wherein the grip comprises wings that abut the end of the outer channel at which the grip is fitted.

11. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the grip comprises protrusions on an inner surface for gripping the cleaning element.

12. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning element is longer than a combined length of the channels when they are in a retracted state.

13. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cleaning element is longer than a combined length of the channels when they are in an extended state.

14. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one securing clip is provided on at least one of the inner and outer channels for holding any excess cleaning element that protrudes from an end of those channels.

15. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 14, wherein the position of the at least one securing clip is fixed.

16. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least on securing clip is movable and/or detachable.

17. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the at least one securing clip is provided on a side of the squeegee which in use is proximal to the user.

18. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein it additionally comprises a handle.

19. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in claim 18, wherein the handle comprises jaws for releasably gripping the inner and outer channels.

20. An adjustable squeegee as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade comprises a deformable material.