US20110085843A1

US20110085843A1 - Two handed vehicle wash apparatus. The invention is used for washing a variety of vehicles. The apparatus has water constantly flowing through it. Soap is also inserted directly into the said invention

Info

Publication number: US20110085843A1
Application number: US12/587,567
Authority: US
Inventors: John Jay Groberman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-09
Filing date: 2009-10-09
Publication date: 2011-04-14

Abstract

It is a two handed apparatus used for washing vehicles. A bucket or water receptacle is no longer required. Constant flow of water, and the soap receptacle make it so you no longer need to pause while washing. Seeing that the water is flowing through a ¼ inch diameter tube; you use less water than the traditional method of washing a vehicle. Hands are kept dryer due to the waterproof nylon backing of the invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Patent Documents


1,334,911	March 1920	Lampkin
1,433,964	October 1922	Mills
2,663,890	December 1963	Sullins
3,589,819	June 1971	Bryant
3,761,991	October 1973	Moss
4,066,366	January 1978	Reynolds
4,339,850	July 1982	Altman et al.
4,575,270	March 1986	Hammond
4,696,593	September 1987	Bayless
4,953,998	September 1990	McCartherens
4,961,662	October 1990	Chow et al.
4,967,960	November 1990	Futrell
5,373,601	December 1994	Miller
5,441,355	August 1995	Moore
5,800,087	September 1998	Tomasik
7,150,063	December 2006	Graham

Foreign Patent Documents


1,252,344	December 1960	FR
191,501	January 1923	GB
481,824	March 1938	GB
551,427	November 1956	IT

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional cleaning methods take too long, use too much soap and water, and don't always do a thorough job.
While conventional cleaning methods have been of assistance in automobile and other item cleaning, they also have many disadvantages. You are only using one hand to wash the vehicle, thus taking twice as long to wash the vehicle. You are constantly stopping to dip into a bucket of dirty soapy water. Spraying down the vehicle prior to the washing of the vehicle is a huge waste of water. Products are usually soft and or spongy, that does not allow you to apply enough pressure to remove dried on dirt, bugs, and tar. Present cleaning methods permit water to pass through to a user's hand.
This is a two handed cleaning apparatus that provides a non abrasive cleaning surface and a waterproof backing. Water-absorbent material is sandwiched between the two previous stated materials to hold water and cleanser during use. There are also two reservoirs incorporated into the product. On the top of the product there is a reservoir for inserting liquid soap. On the center side of the product there is reservoir that allows water to flow into the product. The product is particularly well suited for cleaning automobiles, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning product that includes a microfiber cleaning surface that is approximately 36 inches long and approximately 12 inches wide.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning product that has a nylon waterproof backing to maintain the backside of the cleaning product substantially dry.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle, so as to distribute cleaning solution directly into the invention.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a reservoir, so as to attach to a water source so water is constantly flowing through the said invention.
It is also an object of the present invention to have two elastic sleeves placed on either end of the nylon backing so as to hold both hands firmly in place.
These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a cleaning apparatus and method as described herein.
The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the washing apparatus.

1—Microfiber cleaning surface. 2—Waterproof nylon backing. 3—Elasticized fingers sleeve. 4—Elasticized wrist sleeve. 5—Microfiber hanging loop. 6—Plastic soap receptacle. 7—Wire mesh. 8—Water control valve handle. 9—Microfiber protective sleeve. 10—¼ inch nylon tubing.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the soap receptacle and water distribution system.

6—Plastic soap receptacle. 11—Water distribution system. 12—Plastic end cap. 13—Nylon zip straps. 14—Water dispensing holes. 8—Water control valve. 10—¼ inch nylon tubing. 9—Microfiber protective sleeve.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hose adaptor, nylon tubing, and protective sleeve.

15—Hose adaptor. 9—Microfiber protective sleeve. 10—¼ inch nylon tubing.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view to display the fabrics used in the apparatus.

1—Microfiber cleaning surface. 2—Waterproof nylon backing. 3—Elasticized fingers sleeve. 4—Elasticized wrist sleeve. 5—Microfiber hanging loop. 6—Plastic soap receptacle. 7—Wire mesh. 8—Water control valve handle. 9—Microfiber protective sleeve. 10—¼ inch nylon tubing. 16—Plastic mesh. 17—Polyester batting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Microfiber material 1 is used as the cleaning surface. This surface is suitable for general car washing purposes. The surface area of the microfiber 1 is approximately thirty-six inches long. It is approximately twelve inches wide at the ends and four and a half inches wide at the center (hourglass shape). Waterproof nylon 2 is used as the backing surface of the apparatus. This surface has both the soap receptacle 6 and the elasticized sleeves 3 4 to hold your hands in place, sewn on to it. The surface area of the nylon material 2 is approximately thirty-six inches long. It is approximately twelve inches wide at the ends and four and a half inches wide at the center (hourglass shape).
A molded plastic tube is used as the liquid soap receptacle 6. The tube is threaded so as to hold on a twist cap. Approximately one ounce of soap is poured into the receptacle to wash a standard size 4 door vehicle. The soap receptacle 6 is attached to the waterproof nylon backing 2. It is attached using adhesive and fasteners 13. A prefabricated water adjustment valve 8 is used to control the water pressure into the apparatus. The water adjustment valve 8 is attached to the waterproof nylon backing 2. It is attached using waterproof adhesive and fasteners 13. The purpose of the water adjustment valve 8 is so you can adjust the flow of water into the invention. The water adjustment valve 8 is attached to the water distribution system 11 and the eight foot long ¼ inch diameter nylon tubing 10. The ¼ inch diameter nylon tubing 10 attaches to the body of the invention. The tubing is covered by the same microfiber material 9 that is used as the cleaning surface of the invention 1. The purpose of the nylon tubing 10 is to reduce the flow of water into the invention. It is also to reduce the weight, compared to a traditional garden hose. The purpose of the microfiber cover 9 is to protect the vehicle that is being washed from possible scratching that could be caused by an exposed hose 10.
The plastic hose adapter 15 is attached to the eight foot long ¼ inch nylon tubing 10. The purpose of the adapter 15 is to attach the invention to a standard sized garden hose. A microfiber loop 5 is sewn between the waterproof nylon 2 and the microfiber cleaning surface 1. The loops 5 purpose is so the invention can be hung dry after use. Elasticized sleeves 3 4 are attached to the waterproof nylon backing 2. The sleeves 3 4 are comprised of two materials. There is an elastic band that is sewn into a polyester stretch fabric for both the wrist 4 and fingers sleeves 3. The wrist sleeve 4 is approximately five inches long by two inches wide. The fingers sleeve 3 is approximately five inches long by three inches wide. The two pieces are sewn in line with each other and have a two and a half inch gap between them. The water distribution system 11 is made of nylon tubing and plastic plug 12. It is approximately two inches long. It has six holes 14, three on either side of the tubing 11. The holes 14 face left and right from the center of the invention. The purpose of the distribution system 11 is to distribute water and soap throughout the cleaning area. Plastic mesh 16 and polyester batting 17 materials are sandwiched between the microfiber cleaning surface 1 and the waterproof nylon backing 2. The plastic mesh 16 is used to maintain the shape and create stability, of the apparatus. The polyester batting 17 material is to create padding and evenly distribute the water and soap throughout the invention. The surface areas of the two prior mentioned materials 16 17 are approximately thirty-six inches long. They are approximately twelve inches wide at the ends and four and a half inches wide at the center (hourglass shape).
By providing a system that no longer requires a bucket, a user can simply wash a vehicle from start to finish with absolutely no delay in the process.
A description of the formation of an embodiment of the product is now provided.
The plastic soap receptacle 6 is first glued and sewn into place on the backside of the waterproof nylon backing 2. A piece of wire mesh 7 is then placed against the bottom side of the soap receptacle 6. The wire mesh 7 and a donut shaped piece of waterproof nylon are then glued into place on the bottom of the soap receptacle 6 and the waterproof nylon backing 2, to create a waterproof seal. The water distribution system 11 and water control valve 8 are then attached to the bottom on the soap receptacle 6 using zip straps 13 and glue. The plastic mesh 16, polyester batting 17, and the microfiber cleaning surface 1 are then sewn together in said order. The microfiber cleaning surface 1 and the waterproof nylon backing 2 are then placed back to back. The microfiber hanging loop 5 is sandwiched between the two. This is so the hanging loop 5 will be sewn into place at the same time that the microfiber cleaning surface 1 and the waterproof nylon backing 2 are being sewn together. The apparatus is then stitched ¾ of the area around. The invention is then turned inside out as to create a seamless connection between the nylon 2 and the microfiber 1. It is then stitched again, ¾ of the area around the circumference. This stitching is ¼ inch from the outer edge of the apparatus. The microfiber cleaning surface 1 is pulled ⅛th of an inch passed the nylon backing 2 while being sewn. The elasticized fingers sleeve 3 and the elasticized wrist sleeve 4 are then sewn into place. The nylon tubing 10 is then inserted into its microfiber protective sleeve 9. The nylon tubing 10 is then connected to the water control valve 8 using zip straps 13 and glue. The last ¼ of the invention is then sewn closed. The hose adaptor 15 is then attached to the other end of the nylon tubing 10 by hand.
While a preferred embodiment has been described above, it should be recognized that other embodiments are contemplated and within the present invention.
While polyester batting has been taught herein as one possible water-absorbent material to hold water and cleanser during use, it should be recognized that other non-abrasive, water-absorbent materials can be used in its place. These include more conventional sponge like materials (e.g., open cell sponges and sponge foams), soft foam, and the like.
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. This is a two handed vehicle washing apparatus. Soap is poured directly into the apparatus prior to washing. A waterline is connected directly to the apparatus so the flow of water is continuous. Water pressure is controlled by a valve that is incorporated into the apparatus. It is a low flow apparatus because the hose is ¼ inch in diameter.

There is no more need for a bucket or for presoaking the vehicle, due to the constant flow of water through the device.

2. The apparatus is configured in an hourglass shape. The first section of microfiber material is used as the washing surface. The second section is a polyester batting, used for padding and to equally distribute soap and water evenly throughout the apparatus. The third section consists of a thin plastic mesh which is used so the apparatus maintains its shape. The forth section is made of a coated nylon which is used as a waterproof backing for the apparatus. The fifth section of the apparatus consists of two elastic sleeves placed at either end of the apparatus. The sleeves are of sufficient size to accommodate human hands and hold them in place. The sixth section is a soap reservoir that is located on the center top of the apparatus. The reservoir has a screw top. This is used to distribute liquid soap into the apparatus. The seventh section is a water reservoir that is located on the center side of the apparatus. This is used to connect the apparatus to a garden hose so that water is constantly flowing throughout the apparatus. The eighth section is the water control valve located between the soap reservoir and the water reservoir.