WO1998015439A1

WO1998015439A1 - Improved surface cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO1998015439A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1997/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pita Witehira
Original assignee: Pita Witehira
Priority date: 1996-10-10
Filing date: 1997-10-10
Publication date: 1998-04-16
Also published as: AU4639597A

Abstract

A surface cleaner is preferably in the form of a windscreen wiper (11). The wiper (11) has conventional rubber blade or blades (12, 13) to squeeze off water as well as a bristle portion (14) to break up material smeared across the windscreen. If polypropylene is chosen for the bristles, the bristle portion (14) may be used continuously with the rubber blade (12, 13). Alternatively the bristles may be held off the windscreen by various expedients. The bristles may be biased away by a spring which is only overcome by a counterweight on rapid motion of the wiper (11). Toggling action of the rubber blade (12, 13) may also be utilised to hold the bristles off the windscreen on the return stroke of the wiper (11). Water may be pumped in, or led from a catcher on top of the wiper (11), to further enhance the cleaning by the bristles.

Description

IMPROVED SURFACE CLEANER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a surface cleaner.

BACKGROUND ART

While reference throughout this specification shall be made to use of the present invention as a windscreen wiper it should be appreciated that the principles behind the present invention can apply for other situations. For example, the present invention may be used for cleaning windows on buildings and removing unwanted material from other surfaces. It is generally expected that the present invention however will have a main use for removing material from hard smooth surfaces such as car windscreens.

Presently the windscreens on motor vehicles are cleaned by windscreen wipers. These wipers have blades made from a rubber compound that is effective in "squeegeeing" the water away from the windscreen.

However, material other than water often impacts on a windscreen such as insects, oil films, and road debris.

When a driver attempts to clear the screen of this material using conventional windscreen wipers, the material is generally smeared across the windscreen. The smeared marks then dry and become difficult to remove by conventional wiper blades.

A film usually forms as a consequence of continuous smearing of insects occasioned by the wiper blades. One of the reasons for this is that the windscreen washer fluid usually contains detergents which help to remove fats, oil and dirt. However, detergents cannot easily remove material such as insect protein and honey. Furthermore, detergents generally work better in association with a scrubbing action, rather than a wiping action.

This film causes considerable problems. At night, headlights from oncoming traffic or during the day sunlight reflects off the protein left on the windscreen causing a serious traffic hazard for the driver of the vehicle.

There has been an attempt made to address this problem. This came in the form of a wiper containing two rubber compound blades. Unfortunately this still did not clear satisfactorily the film left on the windscreen. Further, debris became trapped between the two blades compounding the initial problem.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a surface cleaner including

a first blade having a substantially continuous wiping surface, and

a second blade, the surface cleaner characterised in that the second blade has a number of wiping surfaces in the form of points.

Reference throughout this specification shall be made to the surface cleaner as being a vehicle windscreen wiper, however as discussed previously this should not be seen as limiting. For example, the wiper can be used on headlights, rear windows, and the like or for other surfaces.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the first blade is in the form of a traditional windscreen wiper blade, being made from a rubber or similar compound. The wiping surface of such a blade is substantially continuous, that is, not broken up.

The first blade may come in other forms however providing it can provide the primary function of removing water or other fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

The second blade may also come in a variety of forms. However, it is envisaged that the point surfaces of the second blade are in preferred embodiments provided by bristles.

In other embodiments the point surfaces may be provided by other means, for example a soft sand paper.

The term bristles shall be referred to throughout this specification as the point surfaces - but this should not be seen as limiting.

One of the major problems with the film that forms on the windscreens is that it tends to present a substantially continuous surface to the traditional wiper blade. As the blade itself is substantially continuous, the film cannot be readily broken up and removed. The inclusion into a wiper of a number of point surfaces to clean the film means that the film can be broken up by those point surfaces instead of smeared as with a conventional rubber blade. Thus, once the surface has been suitably broken up, it is relatively easy for the film to be removed. Generally, it is envisaged this would result in just a few wipes of the wiper blade with a suitable amount of washer fluid.

Sometimes the second wiper blade may not be required to be used - except for the case when a problem with film build up occurs.

Further, it is envisaged that for aesthetic reasons that continued scraping of bristles from the second blade against the windscreen could be undesirable.

Finally, there is a chance that continual use of bristles may cause damage to the windscreen.

Having regard to the foregoing, in some embodiments there is provided a means by which the vehicle operator can choose whether to apply the second wiper blade to the windscreen.

In one embodiment, the height of the bristle wiper relative to the windscreen may be electronically controlled. For example, there may be provided a small servo at the base of the wiper which can move the bristle relative to the windscreen up or down as desired.

Although the above control means is an elegant solution, there are some problems associated with this.

Firstly, this requires that car be wired to effect this additional control. This means the present invention cannot be used in conventional cars unless additional wiring is installed. Further, this means that the new wiper will have to incorporate an additional connection itself when being fitted to a car.

It would obviously be desirable if the present invention can be readily fitted to conventional cars with conventional fittings and thus be interchangeable with conventional wipers.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a surface cleaner having two ends,

a first end which allows the surface cleaner to be connected pivotally to a vehicle, and

a second end distal to the first end,

the surface cleaner being characterised in that it has

a bristle blade with a counterweight attached to the distal end of the bristle blade.

The surface cleaner shall now be referred to as a wiper.

Preferably the first end of the wiper is the same as conventional wipers in terms of allowing the wiper to be readily fitted to existing vehicles.

However, the counterweight at the distal end of the bristle blade may serve as a means by which the use of the bristle blade can be selected.

For example, if the wiper is turned onto its normal speed the conventional wiper blade may wipe water from the windscreen whereas there is provided biasing to bias the bristle blade away from the windscreen. This biasing may be in many forms, for example the actual position of the bristle blade or a spring bias.

However, if the wiper blade is turned to operate at a faster speed (a feature which is present in most vehicles) the counterweight at the distal end of the bristle blade may act to force the bristle blade onto the windscreen surface thus bringing the bristle blade into effect.

Usually the fast speed option on wipers is rarely used so it is envisaged by the inventor that a duplication of the use of the bristle blade and the fast speed option would not prove a disadvantage to the vehicle operator.

In preferred embodiments however, a counterweight is not necessary. This is because the correct choice of material may mean that it is possible to have the bristles moving continually over the windscreen with the wiper and not provide some of the problems mentioned beforehand.

For example, the applicant has found that bristles made from polypropylene can be used continuously with the rubber blade. Polypropylene can be used to make a soft bristle that polishes the glass and does not damage the windscreen.

The applicant has found the softness of the polypropylene bristle actually serves to dampen the rubber noise of the windscreen blade.

Another advantage of the polypropylene is that it is hard wearing as well as UV resistant.

A conventional rubber wiper blade has a bulbous end enclosed in a housing that allows the blade to toggle evenly about a central axis. This toggling effect allows the blade to wipe across the windscreen at an angle providing a squeegeeing effect whichever way the blade is being moved across the windscreen.

It is envisaged that the bristle blade be held within the wiper in a similar manner to the rubber blade and can likewise toggle.

If this is the case, movement of the wiper in one direction can cause the rubber blade to push the bristle blade against the windscreen.

Movement of the wiper in the opposite direction will lift the brush upwards.

This differing action means that in one direction trailing water will pass across the screen whereas in the other direction the screen will be cleared. Obviously, it would be desirable if the screen could be clear with each swipe of the wiper.

Therefore, in preferred embodiments the bristle blade is sandwiched between two blades with substantially continuous wiping surfaces - such as rubber blades.

However, two rubber blades will not fully solve the problem because the brush may be lifted up with both swipes of the blade. Thus, the rubber blades may toggle differently from each other and/or differently according to the direction that the wiper is moving.

For example, one of the blades may toggle symmetrically around the vertical axis. However, the second rubber blade may have restricted toggle movement in one direction compared to the vertical axis and toggle to a similar angle in the other direction. This configuration means that the bristle blade can be pushed against the glass by both swipes of the wiper.

In one embodiment the bristle blade may be enclosed with the conventional rubber wiper blade, in a housing that allows all of the blades to toggle. The toggling allows the rubber blades to wipe across the windscreen squeegeeing on both the upward and downward strokes. The flexible arm of the rubber blades bend in the opposite direction than the direction the blades are moving, squeegeeing off the water in its wake.

The movement of the wiper up and down the windscreen cause the flexible arm of the rubber blades to bend. The rubber blade is squeegeeing the water, but the bend of the arm has the effect of forcing the bristle blade which either follows or precedes it depending on the positioning of the blades and the direction of the stroke, to either rise off or connect with and brush the windscreen.

In a further embodiment the rubber and bristle blades may be enclosed in separate and fixed housings. The blades are still allowed to toggle not inside their housings, but because the blades are attached to the wiper with a connection which allows that movement. One possible connection, although there are others, is a hinge modelled on a door hinge.

The blades moving up and down the windscreen, may cause the blades to rotate inside the hinge. Such rotation causes the bristle blade to connect with or rise off the windscreen depending on the stroke and how the blades are positioned in relation to each other. The rubber blade connects with the windscreen on both strokes squeegeeing off the water.

It should be appreciated that other toggle configurations are envisaged. It should be appreciated that this last version of the present invention described provides a simple means by which to implement the present invention which enables wipers to be used in conventional situations and without the application of complicated mechanics or electronics.

The overall design of the wiper may be of single integral unit.

Other combinations of blades are envisaged.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is to arrange the bristle cleaning system to be in the nature of a rotating bottle brush. This would be particularly suitable for areas where windscreens or windows require a more vigorous cleaning. For example, in tropical areas the density of insects is very high. In construction and mining areas, there may be continual dirt, dust and debris collecting on windscreens which need to be removed vigorously.

In this embodiment, there can be a long flexible rotary brush connected to a small electric motor or rotating drive, and fixed in guides that assist it to confirm to the shape of the windscreen wiper and to follow the curvature of the windscreen as it is moved across it. This brush system, which is assembled adjacent to or as part of the windscreen wiper, is swept across the windscreen with, or as part of, or in the manner of, a conventional wiper blade.

When additional cleaning action is required, operation of the motor or engagement of a rotating drive (such as provides the operation of a conventional wiper) to the rotatable brush causes it to rotate. As it rotates, it may be forced against the windscreen by rolling in angled guides that feed it down an inclined plane to force it into contact with the windscreen, or by some other mechanism if required, so that the scrubbing action takes place against the windscreen, and yet when the brush is not rotated, it is retracted by light springs from being in contact with the windscreen.

A further embodiment of the windscreen cleaning system is to have the bristles or brush supplied with water or cleaning fluid by flexible pipes or tubes so that windscreen washing fluid is used frugally but effectively to assist in the removal of contaminants from the windscreen.

The brush or bristle system may also embody a method of using the fluid pressure to force it against the windscreen from its normally retracted position, so that whenever the windscreen washer is operated, the windscreen is scrubbed by some or all of the effects of supplying washing fluid, pushing the brush or bristles against the windscreen, knotting the brush, and/or washing the debris away with optimally placed fluid.

BRBEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a wiper, facing towards the blades, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blades and housing of one embodiment of the wiper, and

Figure 3 is three cross-sectional views of the wiper blades and housing of a further embodiment of the wiper, and Figure 4 is three cross-sectional views of the wiper blades and housing of a further embodiment of the wiper, and

Figure 5 is a wiper with both the bristle and the rubber blade in the same housing.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an exaggerated form of a wiper generally indicated by arrow 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The wiper 1 has two ends, a first end 2 and a second end 3.

The first end 2 is a pivot connection which enables the wiper 1 to be readily attached to conventional vehicles.

The second end 3 is distal to the first end 2.

The wiper 1 includes two traditional rubber compound blades 4 and 5. The blades 4 and 5 serve to wipe a windscreen clear of fluid (generally water) as does conventional wiper blades.

Sandwiched between the rubber blades 4 and 5 is a bristle blade 6. At the end 3 of the bristle blade 6 is a counter weight 7.

In normal operation the bristle blade 6 is biased away from the surface of the windscreen. Thus, the only blades usually operating are the rubber compound blades 4 and 5.

When it is desired to apply the bristle blade 6 to the windscreen, the wiper 1 is put into the fast speed mode. The centrifugal force created by this motion upon the counter weight 7 pulls the bristle blade 6 down into contact with the windscreen. Reverting the wiper 1 back to normal speed allows the biasing on the bristle blade 6 to lift it away from the screen.

Figure 2 illustrates a more preferred embodiment of the present invention which does not have a counterweight.

The wiper 11 has two rubber blades 12 and 13 with a bristle blade 14 sandwiched between.

It should appreciated that in some embodiments there may be a rubber blade sandwiched between the bristle blades.

The distal ends 15 of the blades 12, 13 and 14 is held within housing 16 forming part of the wiper 11.

The configuration of the distal ends 15 in relation to the housing 16 ensure that the blades 12, 13 and 14 have a toggle movement when the wiper 11 is being moved across the windscreen.

In this embodiment, the rubber blades 12 and 13 have a limited toggle movement in one direction relative to the vertical access. This is indicated by the dotted lines generally indicated by arrow 17.

The limited toggle movement of the blades 12 and 13 ensure that the bristles 14 is always pressed upon the windscreen, ensuring no trailing water when the blade passes across the screen.

Figure 3 illustrates another more preferred embodiment of the present invention which also does not have a counterweight.

Wiper 18 has one rubber blade 19 and a bristle blade 20 encased in the same housing 21. The flexible arm 22, of the rubber blade 19 bends in the opposite direction to the direction of the stroke of the wiper. The following description is of the wiper positioned as in Figure 3, with the bristle blade on the right of the rubber blade. This is not intended to be limiting, and it is emphasised that the blades can be positioned either way.

On the upward stroke 23 the flexible arm bends towards the bottom of the windscreen, causing the bristle blade to rise off the windscreen. On this stroke the windscreen is only squeegeed free of water.

On the downward stroke 24, the rubber blade is now following the bristle blade. The movement down the windscreen causes the flexible arm of the rubber blade to bend towards the top of the windscreen. This action pushes the bristle blade down and it connects with the windscreen. Therefore on the downward stroke with this positioning of the blades in relation to each other, the bristle blade is followed by the rubber blade and the windscreen is both brushed free of film and debris and squeegeed free of water thereafter.

A perforated pipe 25 runs along the length of the bristle blade, allowing fluid such as water to be pumped directly into the bristles. It should be appreciated however that fluid can be supplied to the bristles by other means.

Figure 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. The wiper arm features a catcher 26, which catches water and snow. The snow is converted into water and the water is forced down into the perforated pipe 25 running along the length of the bristle blade. This not only provides water to wash the windscreen, but also clears the dirt and grit which may have collected in between the bristles. Figure 5 is another embodiment of the present invention with both the bristle portion 50 and the rubber blade portion 51 in the same housing 52.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A surface cleaner including

a first blade having a substantially continuous wiping surface, and

a second blade,

the surface cleaner characterised in that the second blade has a number of wiping surfaces in the form of points.

2. A surface cleaner as claimed in claim 1 which is in the form of a vehicle windscreen wiper.

3. A surface cleaner as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first blade is in the form of a traditional windscreen wiper blade.

4. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the point surfaces of the second blade are provided by bristles.

5. A surface cleaner having two ends,

a second end distal to the first end,

the surface cleaner being characterised in that

it has a bristle blade with a counterweight attached to the distal end of the bristle blade.

6. A surface cleaner as claimed in claim 5 wherein there is provided biasing to bias the bristle blade away from the windscreen it is wiping.

7. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the bristles are made from polypropylene.

8. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the second blade is sandwiched between two blades having substantially continuous wiping surfaces.

9. A surface cleaner as claimed in claim 8 wherein the blades with the substantially continuous wiping surfaces are toggled differently from each other.

10. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein at least the first and second blade is enclosed in a housing that allows all of the blades to toggle.

11. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of the previous claims which includes a means by which fluid can be supplied to the point surfaces.

12. A surface cleaner substantially as herein described with reference and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.