US2267846A - Window cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30, 1941. F. suPNlcK WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 5l, 1941 Dec. 3o, 1941.

F. suPNlcK 2,267,846

WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed May 3l, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y 9 BY FReDR/c/ 5uP/wcK ATTORI/F Patented Dec. 30, 1941 WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Frederick Supnick, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Rose Saxe, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 31, 1941, Serial No. 395,913

I Cl. 15--251) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a window cleaning device.

The invention proposes the construction of a device as mentioned which is of particularly simple construction, lightweight, labor saving, and which may be conveniently manipulated from inside a window to effectively clean the outside. Thus the device is in the nature of a safety devi-ce because the necessity of sitting out on a window or bending out has been eliminated.

It is proposed to characterize the window cleaning device by a carriage adapted to rest upon and move laterally along the sill of the window, and by a light-weight frame slidably mountedon the carriage to be ymanually moved inwards and outwards of the window. Furtherrnore,A ,itis proposed to mount an arm which is provided with a window cleaning member, on the fouter end of the frame in such a manner that it :resiliently engages against the outside of the window/"during the manipulation of the frame.

#Another object of the invention resides in the provisionof means by which the window cleanstruct? the arm'which supports the window cleaning 'meinberof iiexiblematerial,A and to supplement this flexible construction with resilient means acting in conjunction with the arm for resiliently -urging the arm towards the window.

-With this arrangement the window cleaning member will always maintaincontact with the outside of the window when the frame is moved inwards and outwards.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the window cleaning member in a certain Way to more eiectively clean the windo'w during the operation of the device, A construction is further proposed by which cleaning cloths, or other sheets of material may be effectively clamped upon and removed from a support of the cleaning membenas desired.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the said carriage which rests upon arid moves laterally on the window sill in a certain way that it may readily be adapted to window sills of different designs.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description I and accompanying drawings. and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

terial part of this disclosure:

through the sockets 23.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view' of a window equipped with a window cleaning device which is viewed in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional viewtaken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sec- Y tional View taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 1 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line 8--8 of Fig..1.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 2 to more clearly illustrate.'

certain of the parts.

The window` cleaning device, .in accordance with this invention, is intended to cleanWindOWS, as for example the window I2, which has a sill I3 or other bottom support. The window I2 also has the usual outer sash I4 and inner sash I5.

I6 adapted to rest upon and be moved laterally on the said window sill I3. A frame` I'I is slid-v ably mounted on the carriage I6 vand is adapted to be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window sill I3. An arm I8 i mounted on the outer end of the frame II. .A window cleaning member I9 is mounted on the outer end of the arm I8 and is adapted to engage against the outer face of the window panes of the window I2. Means is provided for resiliently urging -the arm I8 towards the said Window I2, for urging the member I9 against the panes of the window during the inward and outward motion oi the frame I'I during the use of the window cleaning device.

The carriage I6 includes an inner body section I6 and an outer bo y section IB. TheV inner body section I6' comprises a pair of inverted L- shaped strips 20 spaced from each other and l xedly held by a transverse strip 2I. Rollers 22 are mounted upon the ends of the transverse strip 2|. A socket 23 is mounted on thev top of each strip 20.. The outer body section I6" includes a pair of strips 24 slidably engaged A transverse strip 25 is mounted across the-outer ends of the strips 24. Rollers 22 are mounted upon the ends of the transverse strip 25. Each socket 23 is provided with a clamp screw 26 hv which the strips 24 may be lxedly held. The arrangement is such that the clamp screws 26 may be loosened and then the body section I6' and I6" shifted towards or away from each other to adjust the width of the carriage I6 so that it may properly engage the window sill I3. t.

Each roller 22 is provided with a cylindrical body portion 28 anda iiange 29. Cushioning material, such as rubber sheet material 36 is mounted upon each roller at points to engage the window sill and prevent damage to the sill during the operation of the device. Each roller 22 is rotatively mountedY on a stud 3l which is mounted upon said transverse strips A2I and 25. The tops of the sections I6' and I6" are disposed at a slant so as to slope downwards and outwards. 'Ihis facilitates holding the frame I1 in a similar position, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The flanges 29 of the rollers 22 are adapted to.l

vengage edge portions or shoulder portions normally formed on window sills, as for example clearly shown in Fig. 1. Hooks 2Ia are also mounted on the transverse strips 2| and extend downwards to the inside of the 'window sill I3 for preventing accidental outward falling off of the carriage I6 from the window sill.

The frame I1 includes a rigid strip 32 extendanother crossbar 35 mounted across the outerv end of the strip 32. This outer crossbar 35 has its end portions 36 bent upwards at right angles to the main portion thereof. Tracks 31 are mounted cn the said crossbars 34 and 35 and ex tend parallel to the strip 32. These tracks 31 are in the form of tightly stretched rods or wires. Each rod or wire 31 has one of its end portions stationarily mounted on thecross piece 34 by being looped through an opening 38 formed in the cross piece. A holding member 39 'holds the end portion of each loop in the loop formation. The other end of each rod or wire 31 is formed into a loop portion which is held by a similar member 39. However, this latter loop portion engagesupon a hook 40 which is adjustably mounted upon the cross bar 35.

More speciiically,v a socket 4I is provided for each hook 4U and is iixedly mounted on the cross piece 35. kThe hook 40 slidably engages through the socket 4I. A pin 42 is mounted on the socket 4I and engages a slot 43 formed in the side of the arm of the hook 40 to prevent it from turning. Thus the hook 40 may only move inwards and outwards. A wing nut 44- is threadedly engaged upon the shank portion of the hook`40 and abuts the end of the socket 4I. With this arrangemenithe nut 44 may be turned to move the hook 40 so as to stretch the rod or wire 31 for holding it in its tautly stretched condition.

The tracks 31 are engaged upon guides 45 mounted on the carriage I6. These guides 45 are in the form of blocks 46 mounted upon the strips 24 of the carriage I6 and each block 46 However, when it is desired' lto disconnect 'the frame I1 from the carriage I6, these parts may be relatively moved and then the tracks 31 will be forced out between the springs 46. Auxiliary guides 49 are mounted on the strips 24, inwards or the guides 46 and are adapted to assist in guiding the tracks 31. These auxiliary guides 49 comprise vertical members 50 mounted on the strips 24V and carrying tubular protectors` 5I preferably made from heavy cloth material and against which the tracks 31'engage.

A bar 52 forlimiting downward motion of the frame I1 is mounted across the inner ends of the strips 24. The bottom edge portion of the window sash being cleaned serves as a limiting means for preventing excessive upward motion ol." the frame |61. The arrangement is such that the handle`33 may be gripped and the frame I1 reciprocated inwards and outwards, and during this reciprocation it will be held against lateral movement by the guides and the auxiliary guides 49. A ilexible protector 9| is attachedto the transverse strip4 25 and depends outwards over and down the window sillv I3. The protector 98 comprises several ilexible strands 96a supporting a plurality of closely spaced woodeny rods, 96h. The protector 99 prevents injury to provided with a.. pair of outwardly disposed ends 58. The window cleaning member I9 includes a at plate 59 having socket portions 60 located is provided with a slot 41 for receiving the track,

above its horizontal centerto make the window cleaning member I9 bottom heavy and said sockets 60 receiving thecutwardly disposed endsv 58 so that the window cleaning member I9 is together t'o disengage the outwardly disposed ends 58 from the sockets 66 and then the window cleaning. member I9 may be removed from the arm I8. The -window cleaning member .I9-

also includes a lsheet of covering material 6I such as a cleaning cloth, ora sheet of chamois or other similar material. This sheet 6I has severalA rubber strips 62a xedly mounted upon its inner face in positions to rest against the plate 59. These Vstrips 62a are adapted to more effectively press portions of the sheet 6I against the window being cleaned so as to increase vthe pressure lper square ,inch of the operative parts of the sheet 6I and thus more effectively carry out the cleaning operation. The sheet 6I is removably supported on the at plate 59 by several clamps 62 and 62 mounted along the edges of the plate 59.

Each clamp 62 includes a jaw 63 pivotally mount-- ed on a rod 64 supported upon the plate 59 by the lugs 65. 64 and acts between the plate 59 andjaw 63 for urging the jaw 63 into gripping position. The clamp 62 includesa jaw 63 pivotally mounted on a rod 64 supported by lugs 65' on the plate A spring 66 is mounted on the rodv S. A spring 66 is mounted on the rod 64' and acts between the plate 56 and jaw 63' for urging the jaw 63' closed. The major portion of the clamp 62' is within the arms of the yoke 5,1.

Means is. also provided, as previously stated, for resiliently urging the arm I8 towards the window l2 for urging the member I9 against the window during the inward and outward motion of the frame I1. This means includes a slide 61 mounted upon the stem 53 afnd provided with a pair of lug portions 68 which are connected with springs 69. These springs 69 extend downwards and are hooked upon a plate 'I0 which is ilxedly mountedupon theI outer end of the strip 32 of the frame I1. The slide B'I is xedly held in adjusted positions. 'The means for accomplishing this includes a `screw 1I rotatively mounted through a lug 12 on the stemk 53. This screw 1I threadedly engages a lug 13 on the slide 61.` The screw 1I has a head 14 by which it may be turned. The arrangement is such that when the screw 1I is turned in one direction the slide 61 will move up on the stem 53 increasing the tension of the springs 69, and whenv turned in the other direction the slide 61 will move down on the stem 53, slackening the tension of the springs 69. This arrangement permits a proper adjustment of the resilient action under which the cleaning member I9 is urged against the window. Y

Means is also provided for moving the arm`l8 outwards for disengagirig the member I9 from the window, when this is desired. This is necessary when windows are cleaned which have the usual slats separating small'panes ofthe win dow. The means includes a lever formed from a U-shaped length of wire. The arms 15a. ofthe lever 15 are pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends by a pintle 'I6 on the 'strip- 32. The outer ends of the arms of' the lev'r 15, ,areconnected by a rod 11'. A spring 18 is mounted be'- tween the rod 11 and `a lug 19 upon the bottom of the strip 32. 'Ihe arms of the lever 15 have their outer ends 15b turned laterally into loop portions. These loop'portions 15b are engaged by the end 'of a. cord or cable 80. This cord or cable 80 lextends along the sides of the strip 32 and passes throughf eyelets 8| mounted on the sides of the strip32.

The center of the cord or ica`ble 80 is engagedv by a hook 82 which is Inen'ted upon the casing of a pulley 83. A cordi"or`cable 84 engages over the pulley 83. PThiszcor'd or cable 84 has one of its ends fixedly attached to'an eye memberv 85 mounted on the strip 3.2. The other end of the cord orY cable 84slidably passes through an eyer member 86, alsov mounted on the kstrip 32'. A handle 31 is mounted upon the latter end of the cord-84. The arrangement issuch that the handle 81 may be pulled to move the pulley -83 inwards and so move the cable or cord 80T inwards to move the outer ends of lthe arms of the lever 15, and pivot the lover 15as indicated by the dot and dash lines 15' in Fig. l. Thelever 15 then strikes the' arm I8 and is capable of pushing the arm I8 outwards so that the arm IB pivots on the pintles 56 to a position in which the window cleaning member I9 will disengage from the window. When the handle 81 is released the parts will return to their original positions due to the contraction of the spring 18.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The frame I1 may be manually reciprocated inwards and outwards Vby gripping the handle 33 and moving it in the direction desired. The

3 springs-69 will maintain the arm" I8 in a position in which the window cleaning member I9 maintains contact with the'butside of the window kpane Abeing cleaned. Thus. the memberIS will move upwards and downwards cleaning the outside ofthe window. The carriage I6 may be moved to a new lateral position on the window sill I3 to permit another vertical section of the` window to be cleaned. Thev operation is continued until the entire outside of the sash of the window is. cleaned. The cleaned sash is then moved out of the way and the other window sash is moved into a down position and may then be similarly cleaned. Whenever required the han` dle 81v may be pulled' to indirectly cause the window cleaning member I9 to disengage from a window pane.

The carriage I6 may have its body sections I6' vand I6" adjusted so that the flanges 29v of the rollers 22 engage edge portions or shoulders on the window sill I3, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus the carriage I6 may only be moved laterally and cannot possibly move upwards and rearwards on the window sill, except by accident. The hooks 2I a prevent the carriage I6 from falling out of the window. I

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right isl reservedV to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described myr invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United; States Letters Patent is:

1. In a window cleaning device having a. car-V riage for resting upon and moving laterallyon a window sill of a window, a frame 'slidably mounted onlsaid carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a

window cleaning vmember mounted on the outer end of said arm, and means for resiliently urging said arm towards said. window for urging said member-against said window during said inward and outward: motion of said frame, and saidV means comprising a spring acting between said arm and said frame, and a slide adjustably mounted on one of these parts and connected with said spring for controlling the tension of said spring.A

2. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon and moving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mounted on said carriage to be manuallyk movedv inwards and outwards ofI said window, an arm mounted on the outer endV of said frame, a win-- dow cleaning member mounted on thevouter end of said arm, and means for resiliently urging said arm towards said window'for urging s aid member against said window during said inward and outwardk motion of said fram-aand' said means including springs actingto urgel said arm towards said window, said-springs being-mount? ed at one of their endsl onsaid frame and at the other of their ends being connected with a slide `on saidv arm, and means for holdingsaid slide in various positionsv for tensioning said springs.

3. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon' and moving lateral-ly onv a *windowv sill of a window, Ia frame slidably mounted on said carriage-.tonbe manually moved inwards and outwards Yof said window,.an arm .lmaunted on the outer end ofsaid frame, a

vcomprising arigid strip, crossbars mounted upon said strip, and tracks mounted on said crossbars and slidably connected'with said carriage, said tracks comprising track elements mounted between said crossbars.

4. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon and moving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mounted on said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window and having crossbars mounted onits inner and outer ends, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaning member mounted on the outer end of said arm, and means for resiliently urging said arm towards said window for urging said member against said window during said inward and outwardy motion of said trame, and tracks mounted on said crossbars and slidably connected with said carriage, said tracks comprising wires -mounted between said crossbars.

5. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for restingupon and moving laterally on a window sill o! a window, a frame slidably mounted on said carriage tolbe manually movedinwards and outwards of said window, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaning member mounted on'the outer end of said arm, and means for resiliently vurging said arm towards said window for urging said member against said window during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and tracks mounted on said crossbars and slidably 'connected with said carriage, said tracks comprising wires, and means for holding said wires in taut positions.

6. In a window cleaning device having a cai-,

riage .for resting upon and moving laterally ona window sill of a window, a frame slidably mounted on said carriageto be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaning member mounted on the outer end of said arm, and means for resiliently urging said armr towards said window forurging said member against said window during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and tracks mounted on said crossbars and slidably connectedwith said carriage, said tracks comprising wires, and means for holding said wires in taut positions, comprising hooks connected with one` of the ends of the wires, and means for holding said hooks in various Yly adjusted positions.

7. In a window cleaning device having a carriage `for resting upon and moving laterally on a window sill of a window, a frame slidably mounted on said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards of said window, an arm longitudinalmounted on the outer end or said frame. a window cleaning member mounted on the outer end of said arm. means for resiliently urging said larm towards said window for urging said member against said window during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and means for moving said arm outwards for disengagingsaid member from said window and comprising a lever movably mounted on said frame, `and means for moving said lever to strike and lift said arm.

8. In a window cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon and moving laterally on a window sill of a window. a frame slidably mounted on said carriage to be manually moved inwards and outwards 0I said window, an arm mounted on the outer end of said frame, a window cleaning member mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for resiliently urging said arm towards said window for urging said member against said window during said inward and outward motion of said frame, and means for moving said arm outwards for disengaging said member from said window, comprising a lever pivotally mounted on-said frame and adapted in a pivoted position to strike andliitsaid arm, means for urging -said lever into an inoperative position, and means for moving said lever.

9. In av windowl cleaning device having a carriage for resting upon and moving-laterally on a window sill ofa window;` a Vframe slidably mounted on said carriage to bemariually moved inwards and outwardsfof saidfwindow, an arm mounted on the outer end oi said f1."ame, a window cleaning member mounted onthe outer end of said arm, means for resiliently urging said armtowards said window for urgingv said member against said window during said inward and outward motion of saidy frame, and means for moving said arm outwards for disengaging said member from said window, comprising a lever pivotally mounted on'said frame and adapted in a pivoted positionto s trike and lift said arm, means for urging said lever into an inoperative position, and means for moving saidvlever, comprising a cord connected with said lever, a hook connected with said cord and mounted on a pulley, and another cord extended over said pulley and having one end stationarily mounted on said frame and its other end manually movable.

l0. In a window cleaning device having a frame to be manually moved inwards and outwards of a window having a sill with stepped sections, a carriage for supporting said frame on the sill of said window, comprising an inner body section and an outer body section adjustab'ly connected, anged wheels mounted on said body sections for engaging the steps of said sill, and hooks for preventing said carriage from falling out of said window, the tops of said sections sloping downwards and outwards, and a pro-v tector for extending over said sill to protect said frame and comprising flexible strands depending from said carriage, and wooden rods closely spacediand mounted across said strands.

FREDERICK SUPNICK.

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