BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is metal polishing and the invention relates more particularly to devices for cleaning thin, typically cylindrical objects such as the spokes of the wheel of a motor vehicle.

The wheels of the motor vehicle often become coated with materials which detract from their natural shine. Often, the material which coats the spokes is difficult to remove such as road tar. Furthermore, since the spokes can often be viewed from both sides of the wheel, it is important that all surfaces be cleaned for optimum appearance. Polishing rags which are impregnated with a polishing compound are known. One such cloth is shown in United States patent no. 4,683,001. The cloth is designed to provide a wax coat without the need for buffing. A lotion applicator utilizing a lotion carrying strip is shown in United States patent no. 4,759,652. It is suggested for use for applying lotions to various parts of the human body.

Most thin cylindrical objects are tediously cleaned by a flat polishing cloth which has been covered with a cleaning/waxing compound and squeezed and moved lengthwise along the spokes. Unfortunately, this cleans only two opposite sides of the spoke and it is very difficult to do a thorough job with such materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a polishing lace comprising a length of thin fabric having a free end, the length of thin fabric being impregnated with a cleaning/waxing compound.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for polishing generally cylindrical objects comprising: impregnating a thin roll of fabric tape with a cleaning/waxing compound to form a cleaning/waxing ribbon; cutting a length of the waxing ribbon to form a cleaning/waxing lace having a first end and a second end;

forming at least one loop around a generally cylindrical object to be polished; and grasping the first and second end of the cleaning/waxing lace and pulling the cleaning/waxing lace back and forth to polish the generally cylindrical object.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for dispensing a length of polishing lace, the assembly comprising: a container having a top, a bottom, a front surface, a back surface, a front edge and a back edge and an interior compartment; a roll of a thin, flat fabric held within the interior compartment, the roll having a central axis and the roll having sufficient room within the compartment so that it is able to turn about its central axis, and the roll having a free end; scissors means having a first blade and a second blade, the first blade being supported on a hinged cover and the second blade being supported on the top of the container whereby the free end of the roll may be pulled out of the container and cut to length by the scissors means. The present invention preferably is for a polishing lace comprising a length of thin fabric having a free end. The thin fabric may be impregnated with a cleaning/waxing compound. Preferably, the length of thin fabric is formed on a roll with a central axis and the roll is held in a container which includes means for cutting a length from the roll to a desired length. Preferably, the container has a pair of rolls, one impregnated with a cleaner/wax and the other being just fabric for removing the cleaner/wax from the polished spoke or other cylindrical object. The process of the present invention may include the steps of impregnating a thin roll of fabric tape, cutting it to a manageable length, forming at least one loop around the object to be polished, and grasping the two ends of the length and pulling them back and forth to provide a rubbing action on all surfaces of the spoke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a container holding two rolls of polishing lace of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the rolls of

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the rolls of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a motorcycle front wheel with a length of the roll of polishing lace of Fig. 2 wrapped around a spoke thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a motorcycle front wheel having a length of the roll of polishing cloth of Fig. 3 wrapped around the spoke thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A container 10 is shown in cross sectional side view in Fig. 1 and has a roll of thin fabric impregnated with a cleaner/wax indicated by reference character 11. This roll is shown in perspective view in Fig. 3. The roll is impregnated with a conventional cleaner/wax composition of the type which has a mild abrasive, a cleaner and a wax blended together. Such a material is typically sold as an auto or chrome polishing compound. The impregnated material should be selected so that it does not dry out unduly upon standing. A second roll 12 is shown in container 10 and is a row of thin fabric which is not impregnated and is merely a polishing cloth. This roll 12 is also shown in perspective view in Fig. 2.

Both rolls 11 and 12 have a central axis 13 and 14 respectively. Central axis 13 is rotatingly held on a support member 15 within container 10. Similarly, central axis 14 is held on a support member 16 within container 10.

Container 10 has a top 17, a bottom 18, a front not shown, a back 19, a right side 20, and a left side 21. A hinged cover 22 holds a knife blade 23 which cooperates with a blade 24, held adjacent an opening 25. The roll of fabric 12 exits through an opening 26 in top 17 and passes above top 17 and over opening 25. In use, hinge cover 22 is opened, that portion of the fabric indicated by reference character 27, is grasped and pulled outwardly. Next, the hinged cover 22 is closed, thereby cutting the tape by the scissor's action of blades 23 and 24. Hinged cover 22 securely closes the container 10 to minimize loss of volatile components of the

cleaner wax.

The roll of polish/cleaner impregnated tape 11 is identically cut and thus, the same reference characters have been used for the bottom cover. Preferably rolls 11 and 12 are formed around central tubes 28 and 29 respectively. These tubes facilitate the turning of the rolls within container 10. In use, a length of polishing cloth is cut from roll 11 and the length is indicated by reference character 30 in Fig. 5. This length has a first end 31 and a second end 32. This length 30 is wrapped around spoke 33 of wheel 34 and the first and second ends are grasped and pulled back and forth to completely rub and polish spoke 33. Length 30 leaves a residue of polishing compound and wax on spoke 33. Thus, a second length 35 is cut from roll 12 and has a first end 36 and a second end 37. This is also wrapped around spoke 33 and ends 36 and 37 are grasped and put back and forth to remove any remaining polish and cleaner from spoke 33 leaving a highly polished spoke.

The material from which the polishing lace is formed should be cotton or other highly absorbent fabric. The lace may be woven in the manner of conventional webbing or may be a non-woven fibrous material.

The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.