Inventor: Nadav Sherman

Title: Multi-Use, Modular Window Cleaning Kit

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to window cleaning and, in particular, it is concerned with adapting a window cleaning device to clean windows that are difficult to access.

The problem of cleaning windows, especially cleaning the outer surfaces while standing inside a building, has been challenge for window washers for many decades. Throughout the years, people have addressed the problem by devising window cleaning devices having handles that are "U" shaped, pivotally jointed, extendable, and pivotally jointed and extendable. The shortcoming with all of these coniigurations is that the user is limited to the particular configuration in which the handle is constructed. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a window cleaning device designed to be assembled into the configuration most effectively addressing the unique needs of any window cleaning situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is multi-use, modular, window cleaning device designed to be assembled into the particular configuration most useful for the cleaning job at hand. According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided modular, window cleaning kit for assembling a window cleaning device including: (a) at least two handle segments; (b) at least one window cleaning head releasably attachable to either of each end of any of the segments; and (c) at least one connector joint having at least three releasable connection configurations, a first and a second of the connection configurations being disposed on opposite ends of the connector joint and a third of the connection configurations being disposed between the first and the second connection configurations so as to enable a person to assemble the segments into various handle shapes, thereby enabling a user to adapt the window cleaning device to a particular cleaning job.

According to a further feature of the present invention, an elongated safety element releasably attachable to the cleaning head and releasably attachable to one of the handle segments to prevent the cleaning head from disengaging from the handle segment.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the cleaning head further comprises a washing blade and a sponge.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the cleaning head is configured to enable the blade or the sponge to be swiveled so as to abut with a surface when the surface is cleaned by the window cleaning device.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided: (a) a hand actuator releasably attachable to one of the handle segments; and (b) an elongated motion transfer element releasably attachable to the hand actuator and releasably attachable to the cleaning head so as to actuate swiveling when the hand actuator is actuated by a user using the window cleaning device in its assembled state.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a tube configured to transfers liquids along the length of the window cleaning device in an assembled state.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an electrical cable configured to transfer electrical signals along the length of the window cleaning device in its assembled state. There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a method for assembling a modular window cleaning kit into a window cleaning device including: (a) connecting at least two handle segments to two, connection configurations of a connector joint; and (b) connecting at least one cleaning head connectable to any end of the handle segments, thereby enabling a person to assemble a window cleaning device into a form providing access to difficult to access structures for cleaning.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided anchoring an elongated safety element to one of the handle segments and attaching the elongated safety element to the cleaning head.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided the cleaning head is configured to swivel the washing blade or the sponge so as to abut with a surface when the surface is cleaned by the window cleaning device.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided: (a) connecting a hand actuator to one of the handle segments; and (b) connecting an elongated motion transfer element to the hand actuator and to the cleaning head so as to actuate swiveling when the hand actuator is actuated by a user when the window cleaning state is in an assembled state.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the elongated safety element includes a tube for transferring liquids along the length of the window cleaning device to facilitate cleaning. According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided running a tube along the handle segments, the tube being configured to transfer liquids along the length of the window cleaning device when it is in an assembled state.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided running an electrical cable along the handle elements, the electric cable being configured to transfer electrical signals along the length of the window cleaning device when it is in an assembled state. There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a multi-use window cleaning device including: (a) at least one connector joint having at least three connection configurations, a first and a second of the connection configurations being disposed on opposite ends of the connector joint and a third of the connection configurations being disposed between the first and the second connection configurations; (b) a plurality of handle segments; a first end of the handle segments being connected to one of the connection configurations; (c) at least one window cleaning head attached to a second end of the handle segments; (d) a tube disposed along the handle segments, the tube being configured to transfer liquids between two extremities of the multi-use window cleaning device to facilitate cleaning; and (e) an electric cable disposed along the handle segments, the electric cable being configured to transfer electrical signals between two extremities of the multi-use window cleaning device, thereby providing an electrical infrastructure.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the cleaning head includes a washing blade and a sponge. According to a further feature of the present invention, the cleaning head is configured to swivel the blade or the sponge so as to abut with a surface when the surface is cleaned by the window cleaning device.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided: (f) hand actuator attached to one of the handle segments; and (g) an elongated motion transfer element reieasably attachable to the hand actuator and reieasably attachable to the cleaning head so as to swivel the washing blade and the when the hand actuator is actuated by a user using the window cleaning device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1-4 are schematic side views of the window cleaning kit assembled into four different cleaning configurations.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side view of handle segments and longitudinal cross-sectional views of connector joints depicting their threaded connection configurations.

FIGS 6-7 are schematic, side view of handle segments and cleaning heads depicting their threaded connection configurations.

FIGS. 8-11 are isometric drawings of the modular window cleaning device deployed in three different configurations for different cleaning situations.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view, front of a window cleaning device configured to swivel a portion of the cleaning head.

FIGS. 12a-14 are schematic front, side, and rear views, respectively, of a window cleaning device configured to remotely swivel a portion of cleaning head,

FIG. 14a is a schematic, side view of a grabbing accessory attachable to handle segments and remotely actuated by the swivel actuation mechanism. FIG. 15 is a schematic, side view of a window cleaning device equipped with a safety cord to prevent a cleaning head from disengaging from a handle segment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic, side view of a window cleaning device fitted with a tube and an electric cable for delivering liquids and electrical signals through the length of the assembled window cleaning device.

FIG. 16a is a schematic, side view of a cleaning head fitted with a nozzle for delivering liquids on a surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a combination tube and electric cable employed in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic end view of the combination tube and cable of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of a user cleaning a difficult to access window from a balcony by way of the window cleaning device assembled into an appropriate configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is multi-use, modular window cleaning device designed to be assembled into the particular configuration most useful for the cleaning job at hand.

The principles and operation of the method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Turning now to the figures, each of Figures 1.-4 are non-limiting examples of shapes into which the handle, of the modular window cleaning device can. be assembled. As shown, the modular cleaning device can be assembled into long-handled 1, right angled handle 1a, substantial "U" shaped handle lb and a forked handle lc. It should be appreciated that modular window cleaning devices configured to be assembled into any configuration is included within the scope of the present invention.

This flexibility is accomplished by way of connector joints 3 having multiple connection configurations 5 so as to provide a user with the option of using any connection configurations forming the handle configuration best suiting his needs. In a non-liming, exemplary embodiment, connection configurations 5 are thread arrangements 7 matching corresponding threading disposed on the ends of handle segments 2. It should be appreciated, that latch mechanisms, joints in which the handle segments 2 are held together by friction, or any other connection configuration enabling convenient disassembly and reassembly is included within the scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that in non-limiting, exemplary embodiments, handle segments 2 are implemented as aluminum tubes of various lengths; however, it should be appreciated that polymeric or any other lightweight durable material is included within the scope of the present invention. Cleaning heads 4 are implemented in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment as a cleaning head support member 4a holding a rubber washing blade 6, a sponge 8, or both rubber washing blade 6 and sponge 8. Cleaning head support member 4a interconnects to handle segments 2 in the same manner handle segments 2 connect to connector joints 3 to form the window washing device.

Figures 8-1 1 depict the modular window cleaning device during use in various settings requiring different configurations. Specifically, Figures 8 and 10 depict settings in which a substantially "U" shaped handle is required to access the glass surface opposite to the side the user is standing. Figure 9 depicts the device in a long-handled configuration for accessing windows disposed in distant places relative to the user, and Figure 1 1 depicts a right angle configuration for accessing glass panes disposed around the comer from the user.

Figure 12 depicts a combination cleaning head 4 configured to swivel blade 6 or sponge 8 attached to cleaning head support member 4a. Cleaning head support member 4a is pivotaliy mounted on swivel base 11 to bring either blade 6 or sponge 8 into abutment with a window pane when being cleaned with the assembled window cleaning device. Cleaning head support member 4a is rotatably mounted on peg 12 projecting from swivel base 11 and held in place by way of circumferential rib (not shown) disposed inside a recess disposed on the underside of support element 4a such that it rotatably engages a circumferential notch on peg 12 as is known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that cleaning head support elements 4a having only a washing blade 6, or a sponge 8 also configured to swivel are included within the scope of the present invention. Figures 12a- 14 depict an actuator mechanism to remotely actuate swiveling of support element 4a by way of a hand actuator 13 disposed near a user and an elongated motion transfer element 14 implemented as a pull-cord 14 in a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment. Hand actuator 13 is implemented as a push button configured to pull pull-cord 14 thereby rotating a ratchet mechanism 15 operative to rotate support element 4a as is known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that any actuator mechanism configured to swivel support element 4a is included within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 14a depicts a schematic, side view of a grabbing accessory 25 attachable to handle segments 2 and remotely actuated by pull-cord 14 swivel and hand actuator 13 described above. Pull-cord 14 is detachably connected to ratchet mechanism 15 configured to close pinchers 26 that are resilient biased in an open position. This accessory advantageously enables a user to recover objects from difficult-to access locations.

Figure 15 depicts an assembled window cleaning device having a elongated safety element 16 releasably anchored to handle segment 2, threaded through a segment opening 18 and releasably fastened to cleaning head 4. Elongated safety element 16, implemented as a cord in a non-limiting embodiment, advantageously prevents cleaning head 4 from inadvertently disengaging from handle segment 2 during the course of cleaning. It should be noted that embodiments in which safety cord connects 16 internally to cleaning head 4 are also included within the scope of the present invention, Figure 16 discloses a tube 19 threaded throughout segment elements 2 and joint connectors 3 for transferring liquids through the assembled window cleaning device. In non-limiting, exemplary embodiments, tube 19 is configured to delivery liquids directly into cleaning head 4 so as to saturate sponge 8 or to a nozzle 23 disposed on cleaning head 4 so as to apply the liquids directly to the surface to be cleaned as shown in Figure 16a. Typically, liquids to be transferred are water, soap, or soapy water or other liquid window cleaning materials. The feed end of tube 19 is equipped with the appropriate fitting enabling connection to a faucet, a pump or any to source of pressurized liquid of interest. The present invention also includes tube 19 having an electrical cable 20 imbedded within the tube wall 21 for the sake of transferring electricity through the assembled window cleaning device. This cable includes a positive and negative wires 22 needed to operate a motor, a camera or other electrical devices. The electrical cable 20 extends beyond the tube length so as to enable connection to the appropriate power source and electrical device of interest as shown in Figures 17 and 18. it should be appreciated that electrical cables disposed inside tube 19, outside tube 19 but inside handle segments 2, or even outside handle segments 2 and held by clips are all included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, tubes implemented as elongated motion transfer elements for actuating swivel motion of cleaning head support element 4a or as an elongated safety element 16 are also included within the scope of the present invention. Figure 19 depicts a user cleaning a "hard-to-reach" window 23 by way of window cleaning device in which the handle is assembled into a substantially "U" configuration to access window 23 while standing on balcony 24 above. It should be appreciated that the term "handle" refers to any length of handle segments except for cleaning head 4. Furthermore, it should be appreciate that the present invention has application in cleaning balconies or other "difficult-to-access" structures. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the window cleaning device is delivered as a kit containing handle segments 2, connector joints 3, cleaning heads 4, actuator elements 13 and 14, safety cords 16, and grabbing accessories 25. In non-limiting exemplary embodiments handle segments 2 vary in lengths ranging from 10 centimeters to 10 meters and have an outer diameter ranging from one centimeter to ten centimeters. Similarly, connector joints 3 have between 2-6 connection configurations 5.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.