Background of the Invention One of the largest and most lucrative product markets in the United States involves cosmetic accessories for automobiles and light trucks. There are literally thousands of products available that are dedicated to enhancing the cosmetic appearance of a consumer's pride and joy, namely, his automobile. From products that add luster to an expensive paint job, to products that add sparkle to chrome, all one has to do is visit a local parts store to see discover a broad range of such innovative products.

One category of products possibly containing the least variety from which to choose is car-wash products. Car-wash accessories known in the art include special towels for removing water and drying automobile finishes after a car-wash, or chamois cloths for absorption of excess water and the like. Other products in this category include automated hot-air blowers for quick drying the automobile finish, or various hand-held cloth or synthetic pads for rubbing excess water off of an automobiles finish.

Bottled solutions or treatments are sometimes employed as aids to reducing spotting or staining of an automobiles finish often resulting from standing water. The type of water used in washing a car plays a part in possible spotting or staining that may be present on an automobiles finish after a wash. For example, if the water is very hard (hays a lot of dissolved minerals) minerals, resultant spotting can be extreme;

whereas, if the water is softer, spotting may be lessened. These bottled solutions or pastes are designed to reduce spotting via their interaction with the water itself.

At the time of this writing the most successful (least damaging) method known in the art for removing standing water from an automobile finish is likely the time- tested chamois cloth. The chamois is a highly flexible section of treated animal skin that has a large absorption capability. The chamois is typically used just after the automobile has been rinsed. It is laid out on a surface and pulled in the direction of the user.

Although the chamois cloth is widely accepted as a viable method for removing. standing water, there are some inherent problems and limitations associated with it's use. Because of the chamois cloth's persistent adhesion to a wet surface, moving the chamois from side to side, or at directions away from the user, is difficult.

The chamois cloth has a tendency to fold or roll under itself if it is not being pulled directly toward the user. This drawback limits accessibility to areas that may need to be wiped. Another problem is that, while a chamois is very successful in absorbing standing water, the chamois must be wrung out when it is loaded with water, a such cloths are difficult to wring.

Because of these difficulties several chamois cloths must often be used to completely remove standing water from an automobile finish. Although the chamois is very soft and generally harmless to a paint job or finish, it is possible that unseen dirt or particles left over from the car-wash process get lodged in the chamois and can cause scratches when the chamois is pulled across the surface of an automobile. This can be particularly disturbing for those who own expensive show cars that support special auto paints that may be susceptible to scratching.

Other types of cloths are available and well known in the art, such as re- washable towels that are sold in most auto-care shops. The absorption qualities, as well as the scratch resistant properties of these products typically vary. These towel- type products are generally intended for users who expect marginal results and are not overly concerned with the cosmetic appearance of their automobiles. Similarly, hand- held pads of the type made out of synthetic fiber vary in their absorption quality, as well as scratch resistant properties. While hand-held pads provide a convenient place

for a user's hand (usually straps on the top surface), they do little else to improve the technology of water removal.

It is well known in the art that some products with rubber-like blades, such as squeegees and windshield wipers, work fairly well removing water from a flat or slightly curved surface. These devices, however, are not well adapted to removal of standing water from automobile bodies, because they cannot conform to the sometimes radical and compound curvature of an automobile body.

Air blowers are sometimes employed to evaporate standing water droplets on an automobile's surface. This method is most used in automated car washes; and it is well known in the art that an automobile owner concerned with the cosmetic appeal of his or her vehicle would not, under normal circumstances, patronize a commercial auto-wash. Moreover, air blowers of the type that are hand-held are typically difficult to because they are cumbersome, awkward, and rather heavy to hold for the time it takes to dry a car body. Furthermore, power cords can get in the way while working on an automobile surface, and cause scratches and other damage as well. In addition, electricity and or battery costs may be a deterrent to those having to wash multiple automobiles such as would be the case with a car dealership, etc.

What is clearly needed is a method and apparatus for removing standing water from an automobile surface that is adapted to conform around the sometimes compound and radical curvature of automobile bodies, and is at the same time gentle to surface finishes, easy to use, inexpensive, and durable. It is to these objects and others that the present invention is dedicated.

Summary of the Invention In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a water-wiping apparatus for wiping standing water from a curved surface is provided, comprising a flexible panel having a thickness, a length, and a height, with an upper long edge and a lower long edge substantially parallel; a substantially rigid handle attached along at least a portion of the upper edge; and a lip formed along the lower edge, extending to one

side of the flexible panel and ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel. In this embodiment the height is at least ten percent of the length.

In some embodiments the lip has a triangular cross-section in a plane cutting the panel orthogonal to the length and parallel to the height. Also in a preferred embodiment the lip joins the flexible panel at an angle of about thirty degrees. Lips may also be provided extending from both sides of the flexible panel. In some embodiments the flexible panel has a greater thickness at the upper edge than at the lower edge, and vertical grooves may be provided to save volume and weight of material in the panel. Various materials are suitable for molding the flexible panel, including flexible silicone materials.

Blade inserts are provided to be replaceable units having an interface for being attached to a handle, and in some embodiments an interface on the handle allows for connection of handle extensions for reaching otherwise hard-to-reach places.

In its several embodiments the flexible wiper according to embodiments of the invention, having a significant height relative to length, provides an apparatus that allows a user to wipe standing water from curved surfaces. The height component allows the flexible panel to conform the curved surfaces, and to readjust as curvature changes.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a hand-held water blade in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken view of a water blade insert in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross section view of the water blade insert of Fig. 2 taken along section line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the water blade of Fig. 1 applied to a curved surface, with the blade just touching the surface.

Fig. 4B is a view of the blade and surface of Fig. 4A from a different vantage.

Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the blade of Figs. 4a and 4B with the blade urged into the surface.

Fig. 4D is a view of the blade and surface of Fig. 4C from a different vantage.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention, including a molded passage and insert for a rigid handle.

Fig. 5B is a perspective view of a two-part molded blade and handle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a hand-held water blade 11 in an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating three main elements of the assembly of water blade 11. A two-part handle consists of a first section 15 adapted to fasten to a second section 17 with a blade insert 13 captured between the handle sections. With the handle sections joined and the blade captured, a functioning water blade 11 is formed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, handle sections 15 and 17 are molded from polypropylene in an injection molding process. Injection molding is well known in the art of fabricating various plastics and is considered by the inventor, in this instance, to be a preferred process for manufacturing water blade 11.

In other embodiments, other fabrication methods may be employed such as gluing various parts together, or perhaps plastic welding techniques may be employed. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that various materials may be used to fabricate handle sections 15 and 17 such as Delrin, nylon, and others. Metals, wood, and the like may be used in other embodiments.

A T-shaped top portion 18 is provided in blade insert 13 wherein opposite sides of the "T" fit snugly into opposite blade slots provided in handle sections 17 and 15. A blade retaining slot 12 is shown in handle section 15, and a similar slot is provided in section 17, though not shown in Fig. 1.

Handle sections 15 and 17 are designed to fit together to form a handle grip that retains the wiper blade, is comfortable to hold, and is of light weight. In a preferred embodiment, special texture areas are provided around the outer edges of

each handle section, although this is not required. Recesses may be molded into handle sections 15 and 17 for the purpose of supporting decals, logos, and the like.

In the embodiment shown a method is provided for attachment of handle sections 15 and 17 whereby handle section 15 has assembly brackets such as bracket 14 that are designed to accept rivets such as rivet 19 that are to be inserted through access points shown in handle section 17, such as the access point shown roughly in line with rivet 19 and bracket 14 illustrated by the directional arrows. Bracket 14 may be formed in the molding process or may be mounted to handle section 15 after molding. Bracket 14 may be fabricated from aluminum, sheet metal, or any other suitable material known in the art and of suitable strength to provide a secure attachment.

In the embodiment shown by Fig. 1 the method of attachment is riveting.

However, other methods of attachment may be used as well, such as screws, snap inserts and the like. In another embodiment there may be no brackets or recesses but rather grooves provided and adapted for the installation of outer snap rings. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that many methods, well known in the art, may be employed for attaching handle sections together without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described above. In still other embodiments a one- piece handle may be provided with a T-slot adapted to engage T-section 18 of blade 13, wherein the blade may be threaded into the slot of the one-piece handle. An advantage in this embodiment is that there is no need for separate sections or fasteners. In still other embodiments handles may be formed in other ways, ad some of these other ways are described in more detail below.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention length dimension D1 is aboutl2 inches, width dimension D2 is approximately 7/8 of an inch, and height dimension D3 is approximately 1 l/4 of an inch. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that dimensions with respect to length, width, and height of the grip handle formed by handle sections 15 and 17 may vary. For example, handles of different sizes may be provided along with blades of different sizes for use under certain circumstances. Large sizes for large trucks and trailers, for example, and smaller models for such as compact cars

Fig. 2 is a broken elevation view of blade insert 13 of Fig. 1 in an embodiment of the present invention showing approximate dimensions and various molded features, some of which are important to unique functionality of wiper blades in embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a section view of blade insert 13 taken along section lines 3-3 of Fig. 2 wherein further dimensioning is illustrated.

A lip region 21 is provided along the longitudinal bottom edge of blade insert 13 with lip elements extending laterally from the bottom edge. This lip region may be formed in several different ways in different embodiments of the invention. In a preferred embodiment the lip region is formed at an angle from the blade element as described below in more detail.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention blade insert 13 is molded from a silicon rubber material via injection molding process for similar reasons stated as stated above with respect to the molding of handle sections 17 and 15. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that blade insert 13 may be molded from other materials known in the art and of suitable flexibility. In this instant embodiment, the inventor prefers silicon rubber with a flexibility rating of approximately 30 to 60 durometer, depending on thickness of the blade. The flexibility of blade insert 13 can be more or less than 30 to 60 durometer, depending on a number of factors that also affect functionality, such as blade thickness, taper, grooving, blade height, and the like.

A unique and critical function provided by unique characteristics of blade insert 13 is it's capability of conforming around sometimes compound and/or radical curves in the body of an automobile, such as in a fender section. It is an object of the present invention is to provide for eliminating standing water in these areas in a safe and efficient manner. This unique capability is made possible in part by the approximate dimensional proportions of blade insert 13 with respect to length and height.

Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, blade 13 has a height D4 that is a significant fraction of lengthy1. The ability of blade 13 to form around curved surfaces in wiping water from such surfaces is largely due to the height of the blade relative to the length, and this feature is enlarged upon below. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, D12, which is the effective height of the blade extending from a

handle, is about 21/2 inches. This dimension is the free flexible height from bottom of blade insert 13 to the bottom of the grip handle formed by handle sections 15 and 17 of Fig. 1. In this embodiment D1 is about 12 inches. The ratio of free height to length in this case is about .21, or about 20 twenty percent. The inventor has discovered empirically that this ratio need to be about ten percent or more for the water blade to be really useful for automobiles with considerable curved surfaces.

It will be understood that D 1 is used in this embodiment both as the length of the handle sections and the wiper blade, as the lengths are substantially the same. In some other embodiments handle elements and wiper blades will be of different dimensions. It is been found by experiment that in this embodiment, the dimensions 2.5 inches for height D12 and 12 inches for D1, with a thickness of material of approximately 3/16 of an inch produces a useful and preferable result. In other embodiments wherein the overall dimensions of water blade 11 are larger or smaller, a material with a more suitable hardness and perhaps thickness may be employed to aid in achieving desirable flexing properties of water blade 11.

Providing a significant height for blade insert 13 increases the area of contact around a curved automobiles surface such as a fender, and the like. The ratio of height to length of blade insert 13 is important to the function of water blades in various embodiments of the present invention, and will be described in more detail in below.

Another important characteristic in blade insert 13 is a capability to direct standing water from a surface and to move it in an efficient manner whereby virtually no water residue remains behind on the automobile surface. This directing effect is accomplished by lip 21 which is formed along the longitudinal bottom edge of blade insert 13 and extends in the embodiment shown in the form of a tapered angle on either side. Angled lip 21 produces a rolling action to the water and forces it to ride up on the angled surface of the lip effectively separating the water from the surface of the automobile. It is known to the inventor that some windshield wiper blades incorporate a similar design, and it is well known in the art that this design is effective in removing standing water.

The angled lip characteristic is unique in conjunction with the height of the blade, in providing a lipped blade with an ability to conform to compound and radical curves in the surface of an automobile.

In the embodiment shown in the figures a series of molded indentions is provided along the length of blade insert 13. The object of these indentions is to minimize the amount of material required to mold blade insert 13. It is known in the art that silicon rubber is relatively expensive when compared to other materials, therefore, considerable savings can be realized by employing such material reducing techniques. In the embodiment shown these indentions are equally spaced approximately V2 inch (D13) from center line to center, for 24 indentions. The uniform height of these indentions is approximately 17/8 inches (D 11), and the dimension from the bottom of the indentions to the bottom of blade insert 13 is approximately V2 of an inch (D10).

Even though indentions as described immediately above may be used for saving weight and material volume, in most preferred embodiments the sides of blade 13 are smooth, rather than grooved, and the inventor has found that the smooth embodiment actually provides enhanced water-wiping function compared to blades with the grooved surface.

A groove 25 is shown running the entire length of blade insert 13. Groove 25, described briefly with reference to Fig. 1, is formed around the perimeter of blade insert 13, providing the shape of T-section 18. These grooves provide a secure locking arrangement when handle sections 15 and 17 of Fig. 1 are closed, thereby stopping blade insert 13 from moving up or down with respect to the grip handle.

The overall thickness of blade insert 13 is approximately V2 of an inch (D5). A minor thickness of blade insert 13 shown from the inside diameter of T-slot 25 and extending down to the upper shoulder of angled lip 21 is approximately 3/16 of an inch (D6). Overall height of blade insert 13 is approximately 2 and 7/8 inches (D4).

The width of grooves 25 of and the height of angled lip 21 are approximately 1/8 of an inch (D7 and D8 respectively). The approximate angle of angled lip 21 in the preferred embodiment shown is 30 degrees (Al). In some embodiments the angle at which lip 21 joins the body of the blade is different, and in some embodiments the lip

may be on one side only. The inventor has found that a sharp edge 24 at the end of lip 21 provides a superior wiping action.

Various dimensions as described herein are approximate only and are meant to illustrate preferred size relationships of features of blade insert 13 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that many changes can be made with respect to dimensioning water blade 11 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a larger water blade may be used on a larger vehicle such as a semi-trailer rig and so on. In one embodiment a water blade with an added height to its blade insert may be used, for example, if a particular type of vehicle contains more curved features that are pronounced.

Figs. 4A-4C illustrate the unique action of water blade 13 in conforming to a curved surface 29. Fig. 4A illustrates a section view of a curved surface, which could be the curvature of a fender, and a water blade 11 including a rigid handle positioned so that lip 21 is just in contact with the curved surface, but flexible blade element 13 is not deformed. Fig. 4B is a view in the direction of arrow 27 of Fig. 4A, showing water blade 11 in contact with curved surface with blade element 13 not deformed. In this example, the contact of the blade element with the surface is just a narrow line.

This is the situation that will always exist with a blade having little or no height D12 (Fig. 2).

Fig. 4C is the same section view of a curved surface 29 as shown in Fig. 4a, with water blade 11 in contact with surface 29, and Fig. 4D is a view in the direction of arrow 31. In this example, blade 11 has been rotated somewhat around the longitudinal axis of the handle, and the blade has been urged toward curved surface 29 in the direction of arrow 33. This movement is applied by a user holding the blade in his or her hand.

The result of moving the water blade into surface 29 is deformation of blade element 11, bringing the sharp edge of lip region 21 into contact with the surface, and causing flexible blade element 13 to wrap around the curvature of the surface to a significant degree. In this example, width of the contact area (Fig. 4C) is from point 35 to point 37. The significantly wide contact line around the curvature of the surface is a result of the height D12 (Fig. 2) of flexible blade element 13.

The arc length that may be accomplished by blade element 13 around a curved surface in practicing the present invention is a function of both the height of the blade element and the curvature of the surface. As surface curvature may be varied and compound, rather than simple, the calculations can be complex. A simplified example is given here assuming that the curvature is circular of radius R.

Given radius R for the curvature of the surface, and a height H for dimension D12 of blade element 13, and assuming that the water blade is urged into the curved surface until the handle is proximate the surface (which is a max situation, not actually encountered in practice), the angle oc can be determined by the formula: sin cc = (R-H)/R The potential length of the contact line to the curved surface from point 35 to point 37 in this situation can then be calculated as that portion of the circumference of a circle of radius R subtended by twice the angle oc taken around the center of the curvature.

It is apparent in the above analysis that for the potential length of the contact line to be realized, the overall length of the flexible blade element must be at least equal to the potential length. If the length of the blade element is more than the potential contact length, then part of the blade element will not make contact, as is shown in Fig. 4C. As is described above, in the preferred embodiment shown, the height of the blade element is about 3 inches, and the length is about 12 inches. This relationship has been found by the inventor to be useful for most automobile bodies.

It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that there are many alterations that might be made in the embodiments shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the area of handle provision for water blades in particular, many variations have been developed. Fig. 5A is a perspective view of one such alternative embodiment. In Fig. 5A a water blade 39 according to an embodiment of the present invention is molded from material such as silicone material of a single durometer, and a handle portion 41is molded integrally from the same material. In the molding process a lengthwise passage 43 opening to either or both ends. is molded into the water blade. After molding a rigid stiffener of about the

length of the water blade is inserted into the lengthwise passage, and provides rigidity and the function of the rigid handle added according to Fig. 1.

Fig. 5B shows yet another handle alternative for a water blade 47. In the embodiment of Fig. 5B material of two different durometers are molded in one mold.

A blade region 49 is molded of a material soft enough for the needed flexibility, and a more rigid material is molded as a handle region 51. Procedures for such molding are well-known I the art.

In another example of alternative embodiments, larger or smaller water blades may be desirable for certain situations. For example, larger blades may be provided for use with large vehicles, such as tractor/trailer rigs and the like, or for vans and other trucks. In some embodiments, especially for use with large vehicles or other entities with large body areas, interfaces may be provided for handle extensions and the like, to allow a user to present the blade to otherwise hard-to-reach areas. Such interfaces might include such as ball and socket joints for flexibility in positioning a water blade in relationship to a handle.

As another example, many different materials that could be used in the fabrication of a water blade in different embodiments. In other embodiments blade inserts may be of differing heights and lengths and may be sold separately to be inserted into one handle grip and so forth. The breadth of the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.