WO2016029258A1

WO2016029258A1 - Vehicle cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2016029258A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050485
Authority: WO
Inventors: John William Eric Graham; Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: Fadfood.Com Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-25
Filing date: 2015-08-24
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: AU2015309682A1

Abstract

A vehicle cleaner (10) comprising an elongate handle (12) having a first end (20) connectable to a water supply and a spray member (14) connectable to a second end (21). The spray member (14) has an internal chamber such that fluid flowing through the handle (12) enters the chamber and an axle (16) having wheels (18) is connected to the spray member (14). A spray opening (44) is provided on the spray member (14) such that water flowing into the internal chamber can exit the spray opening (44) in an upward direction and the spray member (14) is connected to the axle (16) such that rotation of the spray member (14) causes the angle of the axle (16) relative to the spray member (14) to vary.

Description

"VEHICLE CLEANER"

Field of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a device for cleaning vehicles.

Background to the Invention

[002] It is common for vehicles to accumulate a layer of dirt during use. In particular, vehicles used in off-road conditions will accumulate dirt on the sides of the vehicle, as well as on the underside. Due to difficulty in accessing regions of the underside of a vehicle, cleaning this lower surface of a vehicle can present problems.

[003] Various devices have been proposed to provide a water jet oriented at an angle to aid in cleaning the underside of vehicles. The present invention relates to such a device having an improved construction. The device is aimed at being simple in construction and easy and reliable to use.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle cleaner comprising:

an elongate handle having a first end connectable to a water supply;

a spray member connectable to a second end of the handle, the spray member having an internal chamber such that fluid flowing through the handle enters the chamber;

an axle connected to the spray member, the axle including wheels on ends thereof; and

a spray opening provided on the spray member such that water flowing into the internal chamber can exit the spray opening in an upward direction; wherein the spray member is connected to the axle such that rotation of the spray member causes the angle of the axle relative to the spray member to vary.

[005] Preferably the spray member comprises a body having a first end wall to which the handle is connected and an opposed second end wall connected to the axle.

[006] Preferably the axle is connectable to the body by a connector provided centrally on the axle which is engaged with connection plates extending outwardly from the second end wall of the body.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises a central portion having a central bore for receiving the shaft and protrusions on opposed sides thereof, and wherein the connection plates include aligned recesses in adjacent sides thereof for receiving the protrusions of the connector such that the connector can rotate relative to the connection plates.

[008] Preferably the distal ends of the connection plates are parallel and angled relative to the second end of the handle.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, a first of the connection includes a proximal portion extending perpendicularly to the second end wall of the body and a distal end portion extending at an angle to the proximal portion and a second of the connection plates extends at an angle to the second end wall of the body of the spray member.

[010] In a preferred embodiment, the body includes an upper wall in which the spray opening is provided, the spray opening comprising an elongate opening extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the second end of the handle.

[01 1 ] In one embodiment, the upper wall is arcuate.

[012] In one embodiment, the body includes an insert received into a lower side of the body having an aperture in an upper end thereof across which is received a plate member, the plate member being arcuate in shape and including a slot to be located below the spray opening.

[013] Preferably the body includes first and second side walls, extending between adjacent edges of the first and second end walls.

[014] Preferably a first end of the handle is provided with a hose connector.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the handle includes a bend generally between the first and second ends thereof such that the handle includes a first portion extending from the first end to the bend and a second portion extending from the bend to the second end.

[016] Preferably the first and second portions each comprise a linear portion of tube and are oriented at an angle of between 90 degrees and 180 degrees to each other.

[017] Preferably the handle is provided also with an extendable portion adjacent the second end thereof such that the length of the second portion may be varied.

[018] Preferably the extendable portion comprises an extension tube received into the end of the second portion of the handle provided with a locking ring such that the locking ring may be rotated to fix the extension tube relative to the second portion of the handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[019] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[020] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a vehicle cleaner in accordance with the present invention;

[021 ] Figure 2a is a top view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ;

[022] Figure 2b is a front view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ;

[023] Figure 2c is a side view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ; [024] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ;

[025] Figure 4a is a first exploded view of the spray member of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ;

[026] Figure 4b is a second exploded view of the spray member of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 ;

[027] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the axle of the vehicle cleaner of Figure

1 ;

[028] Figure 6a is a side view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 in an extended configuration;

[029] Figure 6b is a side view of the vehicle cleaner of Figure 1 in a retracted configuration;

[030] Figure 7a is an upper perspective view of the spray member and axle of the vehicle cleaner in a first orientation;

[031 ] Figure 7b is an upper perspective view of the spray member and axle of the vehicle cleaner in a second orientation;

[032] Figure 8a is a top view of the spray member and axle of the vehicle cleaner in the first orientation;

[033] Figure 8b is a top view of the spray member and axle of the vehicle cleaner in the second orientation; and

[034] Figure 8c is a top view of the spray member and axle of the vehicle cleaner in a third orientation.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[035] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a vehicle cleaner 10 comprising generally an elongate handle 12, a spray member 14 and an axle 16. The axle 16 includes wheels 18 secured to opposed ends thereof.

[036] The handle 12 comprises a rigid tube 13 having a first end 20 and a second end 21 . The first end 20 of the handle 12 is provided with a hose connector 22. The hose connector 22 is provided for connection to a standard hose fitting. When connected to the hose fitting, water may be supplied to the handle 12 such that fluid flows through the handle 12 from the first end 20 to the second end 21 thereof. [037] The handle 12 includes a bend 24 generally between the first and second ends 20 and 21 thereof. The tube 13 therefore includes a first portion 26 extending from the first end 20 to the bend 24 and a second portion 27 extending from the bend 24 to the second end 21 . The first and second portions 26 and 27 each comprise a linear portion of the tube 13 and are oriented at an angle of between 90 degrees and 180 degrees to each other. Preferably the first and second portions 26 and 27 are angled at around 135 degrees to each other.

[038] The handle 12 is provided also with an extendable portion adjacent the second end 21 thereof. The extendable portion is provided such that the length of the second portion 27 may be varied. The extendable portion in the embodiment shown comprises an extension tube 28 received into the end of the second portion 27 of the tube 13. A locking ring 30 is provided adjacent the end of the second portion 27 of the tube 13 such that the locking ring 30 may be rotated to fix the extension tube 28 relative to the second portion 27 of the tube 13. The extension tube 28 may therefore be moved between an extended position (as shown in Figure 6a) and a retracted position (as shown in Figure 6b).

[039] The second end 21 of the handle 12 is connectable to the spray member 14. A connection tube 32 is provided secured to the distal end of the extension tube 28. The connection tube 32 is received within a neck portion 34 of the spray member 14 such that fluid may flow through the extension tube 28 and into an internal chamber within the spray member 14.

[040] The spray member 14 comprises a body 36 in which the internal chamber is located. The body 36 includes a first end wall 38 from which the neck portion 34 extends and an opposed second end wall 39. The second end wall 39 is therefore located remote from the handle 12 in use.

[041 ] The body 36 includes first and second side walls 40 and 41 , extending between adjacent edges of the first and second end walls 38 and 39. In the embodiment shown, the first and second side walls 40 and 41 and the first and second end walls 38 and 39 are all generally planar. [042] The body 36 also includes an upper wall 42 extending between the upper edges of the first and second side walls 40 and 41 and the first and second end walls 38 and 39. The upper wall 42 is to be oriented uppermost in use and includes a spray opening 44 therein. The upper wall 42 is arcuate in shape and the spray opening 44 comprises an elongate opening extending generally from adjacent the first side wall 40 to adjacent the second side wall 41 . That is, the spray opening 44 extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the second portion 27 of the handle 12.

[043] The body 36 includes an insert 46 received into an opening in a lower side thereof defined between the first and second end walls 38 and 39 and the first and second side walls 40 and 41 . The insert 46 comprises parallel first and second wall portions 68 and 69 and third and fourth wall portions 70 and 71 extending between adjacent ends of the first and second wall portions 68 and 69. The first and second wall portions 68 and 69 are therefore located in use adjacent the first and second end walls 38 and 39 respectively in use and the third and fourth wall portions 70 and 71 are located in use adjacent the first and second side walls 40 and 41 respectively.

[044] The first, second, third and fourth wall portions 68, 69, 70 and 71 of the insert 46 define an aperture 48 in an upper end thereof across which is received a plate member 50. The plate member 50 is arcuate in shape and includes a slot 52 to be located below the spray opening 44. The insert 46 is secured in place within the body 36 by securing screws 47 passed through the first and second side walls 40 and 41 of the body 36 into the third and fourth wall portions 70 and 71 of the insert 46. The plate member 50 is held in place adjacent an inner surface of the upper wall 42 of the body 36 by upper edges of the first, second, third and fourth wall portions 68, 69, 70 and 71 of the insert 46.

[045] The insert 46 includes a hole 54 in the first wall portion 68 thereof adjacent the neck portion 34 such that fluid flowing into the body 36 flows through the hole 54 and then upwardly out through the slot 52. The slot 52 is dimensioned to direct a fan shaped spray of fluid upwardly out through the spray opening 44. [046] The axle 16 comprises an elongate shaft having a wheel 18 on each end thereof. The axle 16 is securable to the spray member 14 adjacent the second end wall 39 thereof. The axle 16 is connectable to the body 36 by a connector 54 which is engaged with connection plates 60 extending outwardly from the second end surface 39 of the body 36.

[047] The connector 54 comprises a central portion 56 through which a central bore 57 extends. The central portion 56 in the embodiment shown is spherical in shape. The central bore 57 receives the axle 16 such that the connector 54 is mounted generally centrally on the axle 16. The connector 54 includes also protrusions 58 on opposed sides thereof. The protrusions 58 are cylindrical in shape and extend along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle 16.

[048] The connection plates 60 comprise a pair of plates extending outwardly from the second end surface 39 of the body 36. Distal ends of the connection plates 60 are parallel and angled downwardly relative to the second end surface 39. In the embodiment shown, a first of the connection plates 60, being uppermost, includes a proximal portion 72 extending perpendicularly to the second end wall 39 of the body 36 and a distal end portion 74 extending at an angle to the proximal portion 72. A second of the connection plates 60, being lowermost, extends at an angle to the second end wall 39 of the body 36 of the spray member 14.

[049] The distal ends of the connection plates 60 are angled to extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the second end 27 of the handle 12 such that the distal ends of the connection plates 60 are angled downwardly from the horizontal when the second portion 27 of the handle 12 is oriented horizontally.

[050] The connection plates 60 include aligned recesses 62 in adjacent sides thereof for receiving the protrusions 58 of the connector 54. When the protrusions 58 are received in the recesses 62, the connector 54 can rotate about a rotation axis extending between the recesses 62. Therefore, in use, rotation of the handle 12 causes rotation of the body 36 of the spray member 14 about a generally horizontal axis and, as the axle 16 remains engaged with the ground, the orientation of the axle 16 relative to the body 36 therefore changes.

[051 ] In use, the first end 20 of the handle 12 is connected to a hose connector provided on a standard hose. The extension tube 28 is extended outwardly from the second portion 27 of the handle 12 to the correct length for the vehicle to be cleaned. Fluid flowing from the hose passes through the handle 12, into the spray member 14 and upwardly in a fan shape out through the spray opening 44.

[052] The vehicle cleaner 10 may be moved such that the spray member 14 is located under a vehicle by holding the first end of the handle 12 and pushing. The upward spray of water will clean the underside of the vehicle. The position of the spray member 14 may be moved by moving the vehicle cleaner 10 back and forth and rotating the handle 12 (as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8) to change the orientation of the axle 16 relative to the spray member 14 and thereby steer the vehicle cleaner 10 to the correct position.

[053] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

1 . A vehicle cleaner comprising:

an elongate handle having a first end connectable to a water supply;

a spray opening provided on the spray member such that water flowing into the internal chamber can exit the spray opening in an upward direction;

wherein the spray member is connected to the axle such that rotation of the spray member causes the angle of the axle relative to the spray member to vary.

2. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the spray member comprises a body having a first end wall to which the handle is connected and an opposed second end wall connected to the axle.

3. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 2, wherein the axle is connectable to the body by a connector provided centrally on the axle which is engaged with connection plates extending outwardly from the second end wall of the body.

4. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a central portion having a central bore for receiving the shaft and protrusions on opposed sides thereof, and wherein the connection plates include aligned recesses in adjacent sides thereof for receiving the protrusions of the connector such that the connector can rotate relative to the connection plates.

5. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 4, wherein distal ends of the connection plates are parallel and angled relative to the second end of the handle.

6. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 5, wherein a first of the connection includes a proximal portion extending perpendicularly to the second end wall of the body and a distal end portion extending at an angle to the proximal portion and a second of the connection plates extends at an angle to the second end wall of the body of the spray member.

7. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes an upper wall in which the spray opening is provided, the spray opening comprising an elongate opening extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the second end of the handle.

8. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 7, wherein the upper wall is arcuate.

9. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 8, wherein the body includes an insert received into a lower side of the body having an aperture in an upper end thereof across which is received a plate member, the plate member being arcuate in shape and including a slot to be located below the spray opening.

10. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with any one of the claims 2 to 9, wherein the body includes first and second side walls, extending between adjacent edges of the first and second end walls.

1 1 . A vehicle cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first end of the handle is provided with a hose connector.

12. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle includes a bend generally between the first and second ends thereof such that the handle includes a first portion extending from the first end to the bend and a second portion extending from the bend to the second end.

13. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first and second portions each comprise a linear portion of tube and are oriented at an angle of between 90 degrees and 180 degrees to each other.

14. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 13, wherein the handle is provided also with an extendable portion adjacent the second end thereof such that the length of the second portion may be varied.

15. A vehicle cleaner in accordance with claim 14, wherein the extendable portion comprises an extension tube received into the end of the second portion of the handle provided with a locking ring such that the locking ring may be rotated to fix the extension tube relative to the second portion of the handle.