A WINDOW CLEANING UNIT

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a window cleaning unit, more particularly but not exclusively, to a user-carried window cleaning unit for cleaning windows and other surfaces, typically on exteriors of buildings, especially multi-storey buildings.

Background

Successful cleaning of glass, smooth glossy surfaces or windows requires a number of items or pieces of specific equipment in order to provide a good finish. Such items include: squeegees, detergents, chemicals, buckets and cloths. When cleaning windows at ground level such items may be easily carried to the place and used as and when required. Whilst cleaning windows at greater height, for when using a ladder or when standing on a platform or hoist, of the type for example used on multi-storey tower blocks, it is cumbersome and dangerous to have to carry multiple items.

Work belts and bags may be adapted to carry window cleaning apparatus. However, cleaning water is often provided in a bucket which must be carried separately for wetting or dunking the squeegee in and/or for cleaning off dirt and so as to dampen or wet the squeegee or cloth ready for use to clean a window.

Some water carriers have been adapted to be carried by a window cleaner in a similar manner to a ruc-sac so as to free up their hands. However, this may be detrimental to a user's balance when working at height, particularly if the user is standing on a ladder or suspended from a harness. In water carriers worn on a user's back, the user can not always see how much water is left. Where water has to be piped to where it is required, there is a danger that hoses may become entangled or hinder the user.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with cleaning windows at height by establishing a conveniently mounted device that is easy to fit or be carried by a user; is appropriate for working at height; and provides economical method of delivering cleaning water.

Prior Art

A number of attempts have been made to solve these problems, including the arrangements described below. United States Patent Application US-A-2009 211 607 (Garland) discloses a cleaning system useful for cleaning window glass or another smooth surface.

Japanese Patent Application JP-A-2004 13 262 (Sakurai) provides a small-sized pneumatic hand-pump-integrated window squeegee.

United States Patent US-B-3 640 630 (Walker) discloses a liquid application system having a flow of pressurized liquid comprising: a liquid applicator, a hollow handle for said applicator, a closed container having an outer portable canister provided with an air tight cover and a pressuring device and an inner receptacle for holding the pressurized liquid to be applied. A flexible tube communicates at one end with said liquid applicator and at the other end with said closed container.

International Patent Application WO 2007/064867 A2 (Dallmann) discloses a portable apparatus for holding and dispensing liquid from a container generally comprising a bladder to hold the liquid.

United States Patent US-A-2 104 161 (Koukal) discloses a window glass cleaning implement comprising a squeegee and water supply tank supported upon a window cleaner's belt. Water is fed under pressure along the length of the squeegee via a hose.

United States Patent US-B-4 427 140 (Dennis) discloses a window washing kit in which a belt to be worn by the window washer has a hollow container for containing water. The container has tubes attached thereto for wetting a scrubber. The belt also has holders for holding scrubbers and squeegees. The kit includes a pole for holding a scrubber or squeegee during use. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a window cleaning unit comprising: securing means for temporarily securing the window cleaning unit to a user, a main reservoir for storing clean water, a holster comprising one or more nozzles for receiving clean water from the main reservoir and directing the clean water onto a cleaning applicator when located in the holster and a second reservoir for storing dirty water received from the cleaning applicator after cleaning.

According to the present invention there is provided a window cleaning unit comprising: a means for temporarily securing the window cleaning unit to a user, a main reservoir for clean water, a holster for receiving a cleaning applicator, one or more nozzles defined within the holster to direct clean water onto the applicator when located in the holster and a second reservoir for storing dirty water.

An advantage of the nozzles directing clean water onto the applicator is that the applicator is moistened with clean water for cleaning a window or another surface. Another advantage is dirt and debris are sprayed off and removed from the applicator.

Clean water may be a mixture of water and detergent for cleaning windows and other surfaces.

Ideally the holster is the housing of a compartment such as open top canister. The holster also comprises the second reservoir for storing dirty water. Ideally the holster is integrally formed as part of the window cleaning unit. Alternatively the window cleaning unit comprises the holster and the second reservoir as separate items.

Dirty water, dirt, and debris removed from the applicator in the holster are diverted to the second reservoir. The holster may be isolated from the second reservoir - for example by way of a trap or one way valve. Advantageously the trap or one way valve to the second reservoir prevents dirty water spilling from the window cleaning unit in the event that the window cleaning unit is inadvertently tipped or knocked over.

Ideally the holster is detachable from a portion of the window cleaning unit that is temporarily securable to the user and comprises the main reservoir. The portion that is temporarily securable to the user and comprises the main reservoir is the main body of the window cleaning unit.

Ideally a pressurising means, such as a pump, is provided for delivering clean water, under pressure, to the one or more nozzles fixed to a wall of the holster. The pressuring means is preferably a hand pump that serves to draw water from the clean water reservoir to the holster. Typically the hand pump is connected to a pipe which draws water from the main reservoir, channelling it to the nozzles in the holster.

Advantageously the pump comprises a handle accessible for hand pumping while the window cleaning unit is temporarily secured to the user.

Preferably with the window cleaning unit attached to the hip or thigh of a person using the window cleaning unit, the main reservoir is located above the nozzles so as to feed by gravity clean water from the main reservoir to the nozzles. Thereby when the hand pump is operated water is forced out of the nozzles in the holster in the form of a plurality of water jets that serve to dampen, wet and/or clean an applicator that has been inserted to the holster.

The holster ideally comprises a plurality of nozzles to direct clean water on the entire length of the applicator. Most preferably the holster opening is aligned with or surrounded by the nozzles so that the water jets are directed at the applicator in use so as to wet the applicator and clean the applicator.

Optionally clean water may be supplied automatically and is triggered, for example, upon insertion of the applicator into the holster. In some embodiments the applicator may be connected to the unit, or may be independently provided. This could be way of a tether so as to prevent the applicator from being dropped. The window cleaning unit includes a mount to temporarily secure the unit to a person using the unit, and more particularly in preferred embodiments additionally or alternatively includes leg support to correctly position the unit in use about or onto the user's leg. In this way the unit may be reliably and easily carried ready for use by a mobile user, such as a user ascending or descending a structure on ladders, scaffolding or a rope. In use the applicator is placed into the holster to receive water as often as needed in use in cleaning surfaces.

In preferred embodiments the unit is embodied in a generally triangular shaped form with bulbous rounded corners to minimise snagging on equipment or the user's clothing. Ideally one face of such a triangular unit is arcuate, so as to cup or rest comfortably against the user's leg.

The two cut outs locations allow the unit to be easily used in both a left or right orientation on the user therefore reducing the requirement for them to twist excessively to reach the applicator.

Typically the triangular shaped unit is divided into two adjacent compartments that are profiled: one being the main reservoir that holds the clean water and a second defining the holster.

The clean water reservoir holds water ideally has a filling cap or closure means on, or at, a reservoir's upper surface so as to allow the reservoir to be readily filled. Ideally the filling cap includes or allows attachment of an extendible refill hose which may be extended to reach a tap or faucet. In preferred embodiments the refill hose is extendible out of the main reservoir and provided with a deformable skirt so as to allow quick and easy connection to a tap or faucet.

Typically the filling cap includes a watertight seal so as to prevent loss of water from the reservoir. This is particularly important if the window cleaning unit is being carried in a non upright orientation. It is envisaged that the seal may be in the form of a resiliently deformable O-ring. The filling cap may close by means of a twist, clip, push or detent mechanism.

Advantageously the clean water reservoir includes a water level indicator so as to display how much water is held by the unit. Preferably the water level indicator may include a transparent panel so as to show the water level.

Ideally the reservoir for dirty water also includes at least one water level indicator, similar or the same to that included in the reservoir. It is envisaged that panels on each water level indicator may be coloured or marked differently so as to easily distinguish between each indicator.

Typically the holster is in the form of an open canister and has two semi-circular cut out mouth portions for accepting the applicator.

Ideally the holster is dimensioned and arranged in such a manner as to minimise loss of dirty water within it.

Ideally a scraping means is provided for removing excess water from the applicator by 'scraping' the applicator upon its removal from the holster. This may be achieved by a peripheral rim with a reverse lip extending inwards from the edge of the entrance to the holster.

Even more preferably the cut out opening and/or the holster internal wall includes a plurality of bristles so as remove excess water and any accumulated dirt and debris when the applicator is inserted/withdrawn, thereby reducing water usage and in particular wastage of water. This enables the user to carry a lesser amount of water whilst working. When the applicator is removed from the holster and inserted residual dirt from windows drips of the applicator and collects in the second reservoir which may be comprised with the holster. In preferred embodiments the holster has a release valve or release door in a floor or a base of the holster so as to enable the removal of used water and residual dirt from the second reservoir. In some embodiments the holster includes a feedback tube that is a passage for used dirty water in the second reservoir comprised within the holster to be passed back to the reservoir. Used water may be filtered so that it may be used again, thereby reducing how many times the window cleaning unit needs to be refilled.

Preferably the window cleaning unit comprises a feedback passage with a filter that provides a conduit for dirty water in the second reservoir to flow one-way to the main reservoir through the filter. In preferred embodiments the means for temporarily securing the unit includes a clip, belt and has a pivot or pin which allows the unit to be rotated in use. The pivot pin may serve as a mounting for a pair of parallel plates or may be provided between the plates or elsewhere so that the unit pivots about the user. The window cleaning unit may additionally or alternatively house a retraction mechanism for an applicator cord to secure the applicator to the unit in some embodiments, to minimise accidental loss or damage. Such cords may include hook and loop portions such as Velcro (Trade Mark) or other reversible fastener. In preferred embodiments the main reservoir may be longitudinally disposed within the window cleaning unit. Thus gravity is better effected on the pivot, and the window cleaning unit is better inclined to present the holster to a person wearing the window cleaning unit. This inclination allows the person to easily insert or remove the applicator from the holster.

It may be envisaged that one or both of the plates may be shaped so as to encompass the retraction mechanism whilst still having an opening from which the cord is accepted and released. Advantageously therefore the mount includes the plates and pin and may further provide a flexible, elastic or tightenably securable means of attachment to the user, for example a harness.

In some embodiments a leg support may be attached to the plate that is proximate the leg in use, providing an arcuate surface that cups the user's leg to keep the unit in a favoured position. Additionally or alternatively a strap may be included to aid or mount the unit to the user. It is envisaged that the strap may be attached to the user's belt or a waist band so as to secure it to the user. Typically the strap includes a belt loop, clip, buckle or hook and loop attachment such as Velcro (Trade Mark) so as to enable the strap to be connected to the user.

In some embodiments the strap may be a harness that passes over at least one of the user's shoulders thereby providing more even weight distribution to the user.

Preferably applicators may be fastened to the unit by a cord so as to prevent them falling and potential injuring someone or damaging something if dropped. The cord is typically wound around a sprung wheel so as to automatically recall any slack cord not required when in use. In some embodiments the sprung wheel may be mounted on the pivot pin.

The window cleaning unit is further defined by the claims.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 A is an isometric view of the window cleaning unit tank as it is worn on a person's hip for the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8.

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the unit;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figures 3 show end views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a reverse side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a front view from the rear of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of the window cleaning unit. Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the side facing away from a cleaning person's hip in use of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows an isometric view of the side facing toward a cleaning person's hip in use of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8.

Figure 11 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8 with close-up of cord retracting mechanism front cover of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8. Figure 12 shows an isometric view of the bottom of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8.

Figure 13 shows an isometric view of the window cleaning unit main reservoir being filled with water from a spigot for the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8.

Figure 14 is an isometric view of the holster showing nozzles fixed to an interior wall of the embodiment of the window cleaning unit in Figure 8. Figure 15 is a schematic of the window cleaning unit.

Figure 16 is schematic of the window cleaning unit with an applicator in the holster.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figure 1A a window cleaning unit is shown mounted on the hip of a person using the window cleaning unit.

Referring to Figure 15, there is shown schematically a window cleaning unit 100 comprising: a means 28 for temporarily securing the window cleaning unit to a user or window cleaner, such as a strap 102 or other suitable fixing. The unit comprises a main reservoir 29 for storing clean water 29a and a holster 2 for receiving a cleaning applicator 19, 20, one or more nozzles 3 defined within the holster 2 to direct clean water onto the applicator 19, 20 when located in the holster 2 and a second reservoir for storing dirty water. Figure 16 is a schematic showing the window cleaning unit with the applicator (19, 21 in the holster.

Clean water 29a is selectively transferred from the main reservoir 29 to said one or more nozzles 3 for directing clean water on the applicator 19. The second reservoir 106 is spaced apart from the applicator 19 when the applicator 19 is located in the holster to reduce contamination of the applicator 19 with dirty water from the second reservoir 106.

The holster 2 comprises an applicator support 108 to support the applicator 19 above the second reservoir and thereby space apart the applicator from the second reservoir. Advantageously dirty water drips down the applicator and into the second reservoir 106 which is below the applicator support when the window cleaning unit is secured to a user. The applicator support 108 is connected to the wall of the holster 2. The applicator support is a beam across the holster, or a protrusion from the wall of the holster, or a screen-like sieve that lets through dirty water but captures grit, or the top edge of the holster which catches the applicator handle 20. With reference to Figure 1 , the user-mountable window cleaning unit comprises: a mount (front and back leg brace plates 9 & 11), a main reservoir, a holster 2 and a hand pump 4 for transference of water from the main reservoir to the holster 2. The holster 2 comprises one or a plurality of spray nozzles 3. The nozzles 3 spray water into the holster. The main reservoir has a filling cap 6 to enable the main reservoir to be easily filled. The filling cap 6 comprises a water tight seal to prevent spillage of clean water from the main reservoir 29 when the window cleaning unit is tipped or knocked over.

As shown in Figure 1A there is a main body 7 attached to a belt on a hip of a person using the window cleaning unit. As shown in Figure 8 the main body comprises a main reservoir 29 adjacent to a holster 2. The holster is an open ended canister with a holster opening 30. As shown in Figure 1A the holster opening 30 is easily reached by the person for inserting and removing an applicator 19, 20.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16 the opening 30 in the holster is located above the second reservoir 106 so that when the applicator is inserted through the opening 30 into the holster 2 the applicator 19 rests above the second reservoir 106. Thus dirty water drains down from the applicator 19 into the second reservoir 106 where the dirty water 106a is stored until it is selectively released through the second reservoir release door.

To insert or remove the applicator 19, 20, the person grasps the applicator handle 20 and inserts or removes the applicator brush 20 from the holster opening 30.

As shown in Figure 8, 9, and 10 a filling cap 6 seals the top of the main reservoir 29 and covers a refilling hose opening 55. A refilling hose is extendable through a fill opening at the top of the main reservoir 29 when the filling cap 6 is removed from the fill opening.

An air vent through the wall of the main reservoir 29 or through the filling cap 6 equalizes the air pressure inside and outside of the main reservoir 29.

A pump 4 shown in Figure 8 is housed within the main reservoir 29. A pump handle provides the person wearing the window cleaning unit an easy reach for pumping clean water from the main reservoir 29 to the nozzles 3 which are fixed to a wall of the holster 2.

Figure15 and Figure 16 show an alternative where the pump is located outside of the main reservoir.

The pump 4 with a pump handle 16 provides user with the means to selectively transfer clean water 29a in the main reservoir 29 to the one or more nozzles 3. As shown in Figure 1A the pump 4 comprises a handle 16 accessible for hand pumping while the window cleaning unit is temporarily secured to the user. Thus the pumping mechanism operable by user for selectively transferring clean water to said one or more nozzles.

The pump 4 has an inlet to the main reservoir 29 to draw clean water 29a from the main reservoir 29 and an outlet to deliver clean water to the nozzle 3.

The main reservoir 29 is located above the nozzle(s) 3 so as feed by gravity clean water 29a from the reservoir 29 to the nozzles 3 while the window cleaning unit is temporarily secured to the user. Thus the window cleaning unit is operable without the pump 4. If the pump 4 is present the pressure of the clean water 29a above the pump eases the amount of pumping effort required by the window cleaning unit user.

A viewing window 12 is located in the side of main reservoir so as to act a clean water level indicator easily visible to a person wearing the window cleaning unit.

Figure 1A illustrates how a person wears the window cleaning unit on their hip. The window cleaning unit main body 7 is attached the person's belt by a belt loop 28.

A person cleaning windows uses an applicator comprising a brush 19 with a handle 20. The brush 19 is fibrous such as sheep wool or sponge like. It has fuzzy surface for cleaning windows without scratching them. The brush retains moisture so that it can be moistened and then used to clean the window.

A person cleaning windows also uses a squeegee comprising a rubber lip held by a handle.

The applicator brush 19 is long and thin and slips into the holster 2 of the window cleaning unit as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The applicator brush 19 slips through holster opening 30 in the holster 2. The holster 2 is usable to carry the applicator because the window cleaning unit configured to be carried on the hip by a belt loop 28. So a person carrying the window cleaning unit on their hip also carries the applicator 19, 20 along as well.

A holster brush 21 protrudes from the inner wall into the interior of the holster 2 as shown in Figure 14. The holster brush 21 extends as a band around the inner wall. The holster brush 21 brushes against the applicator brush 19 as the applicator 19, 20 is placed into and taken out of holster 2. This brushing action wipes clean water, dirty water, and dirt off the applicator brush 19. Thus the applicator brush 19 is cleaned by putting it into and taking it out of the main holster 2. The holster 2 comprises a second reservoir below the holster brush 21. In the embodiments shown in Figure 1A, 8, 9, 12, 15 and 16 the holster 2 is an open canister so that that the holster 2 comprises the second reservoir 106.

Figure 1A shows an arrangement of the window cleaning unit in which the main reservoir 29, holster 2, and second reservoir are integrally formed as a single main body 7. The main body 7 is attachable by a belt or belt loop 28 to a user.

Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement where a frame 104 is attachable by a belt 102 or belt loop to the user. Fixed to the frame 104 are a separate main tank 29 and holster 2 with an integral second reservoir 106.

With either arrangement the holster is detachable from either the main body 7 or the frame 104. Thus the holster is detachable from the portion of window cleaning unit that is temporarily securable to the user and that comprises the main reservoir 29.

A squeegee holder 15 is attached to the main holster 2 as shown in Figures 9 and 15. The squeegee holder 15 is adapted to hold the squeegee so that a person carrying the window cleaning unit on their hip can also carry the squeegee held in the squeegee holder. To assist holding squeegees comprising a steel bar supporting the rubber lip, the squeegee holder comprises a magnet 22.

A person cleaning windows with the main body 7 of the window cleaning unit attached their belt is often high above the ground abseiling along the wall of a building so as to clean the building windows. To prevent the applicator 19, 20 or the squeegee from falling down the ground if they are accidently dropped; the applicator handle 20 and/or the squeegee are attached by a cord 17 to the holster 2 or the squeegee holder 15. The cord is shown in Figures 9 and 15.

The cord 17 is long enough for the person using the window cleaning unit on their hip to not be restrained by the cord when using the applicator 19, 20 or squeegee. It is short enough to prevent the applicator 19, 20 or squeegee from hitting the ground if accidentally dropped. The cord 17 is between about one meter and two meters long.

A retractable mechanism winds the cord 17 automatically to prevent excess slack in the cord 17. The retractable mechanism comprises a front housing 25, a winding retractable mechanism spring 10, and rear housing 26.

The window cleaning unit comprises a slot 27 adapted to receive and retain accessories such as the retractable mechanism, a belt loop 28 and so forth. The retractable mechanism prong 30 is snugly gripped by the slot 27 walls and so retains the retractable mechanism in place so that it is attached to the window cleaning unit.

For example a container for cleaning liquid is retainable by attachment to the slot 27. The window cleaning unit comprises a refill hose 5 that is containable within the main reservoir 29 as shown in Figure 13. When the refill hose 5 is not being used to refill the main reservoir 29 it stored conveniently within the main reservoir 29 and covered with filling cap 6. The refill hose 5 is extendable from the main reservoir 29. When the refill hose 5 is being used to fill the main reservoir 29, the refill hose 5 is partially extended from the main reservoir 29.

To use the window cleaning unit a person begins by strapping it to their hip or leg via the belt loop 28 or leg brace plate 11 s shown in Figure 1A. They remove the filling cap 6 to give themselves access to the refill hose opening 55 as shown in Figure 13. They grasp the refill hose 5 and pull it partway out of the main reservoir 29. They manoeuvre the refill hose opening 55 under a water spigot as shown in Figure 13. They open the spigot and water flows into the refill hose opening 55 through the refill hose 55 and thence into the main reservoir 29. Or they may manoeuvre the refill hose opening 55 under the spout of a bottle of cleaning water and pour the cleaning water into the main reservoir 29 through the refill hose 5.

An advantage of the refill hose 5 is that it alleviates the need to try to wrangle the window cleaning unit under a tap in a shallow sink in order to fill the main reservoir 29. After a person fills the main reservoir 29, the person then ensures that the applicator brush 19 is inserted inside the holster 2. The person then grasps the pump handle 16 shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 , and 14 and hand pumps the pump 4. This has the effect of drawing the water or cleaning water in the main reservoir 29 through the pump 4 and thence through the nozzles 3 which are in the holster 2 as shown in Figure 14. The nozzles 3 direct jets of cleaning water pumped through the nozzles onto the applicator brush 19 which is inserted inside the holster 2. This applicator brush 19 is moistened by the water or cleaning water. The person then grasps the applicator handle 20 and draws the moistened applicator brush 19 out of the holster 2.

The person then brushes a dirty window with the moistened applicator brush 19 and cleans it. The person then places the applicator brush 19 back into the holster 2. They then grasp the squeegee and pull it off the squeegee holder 15. They wipe residual water and cleaning water off the window with the squeegee. They place the squeegee back on the squeegee holder.

As windows are cleaned a repeated process occurs in which the applicator brush is 2 moistened with cleaning water, taken from the holster, and then replaced in the holster 2 carrying dirty water and dirty cleaning water. While the applicator brush is resting in the holster carrying dirty water or dirty cleaning water some of the dirty liquid drips down to the second reservoir at the bottom of the holster 2. Eventually the second reservoir begins to fill up with dirty water or dirty cleaning water. To alleviate the person from a need to remove the window cleaning device from their hip and tip the window cleaning device upside down pour the dirty liquid out of the holster 2 there is a dump valve 1 acting as a release door through the bottom of the second reservoir at the bottom of the holster 2. The dump valve 1 is shown in Figure 12. A dump valve handle is located on the exterior of the window cleaning unit. By manipulating the dump valve handle the person using the window cleaning device can dump the dirty water 106a from the holster 2 without the trouble of removing the window cleaning unit from their belt.

The second reservoir release door, that is the dump valve 1 , and the dump valve handle are a discharge arrangement for selectively discharging dirty water 26a from the second reservoir 26. The dump valve handle comprises a push rod that is spring loaded. The push rod is pushed to open the dump valve 2 and dump the dirty liquid from the holster 2 and then the push rod is released and the spring loading automatically closes the dump valve 2.

There is no passageway for liquid between the main reservoir 29 and the holster 2, except through the pump 4. Since the pump 4 only allows liquid to pass from the main reservoir 29 to the holster 2, dirty water and cleaning water that accumulates in the holster 2 does not contaminate the main reservoir 29.

A nozzle 3 is fixed to an interior wall of the holster 2 and directs a fine mist or a spray of liquid onto the applicator brush 19 when the brush is inside the holster 2 and pump 4 is pumping.

A set of two or more nozzles 3 is fixed to an interior wall of the holster 2 so that an imaginary line connecting them is parallel to the axis of the holster 2 thereby forming a dotted line of nozzles 3 along the interior wall. Each nozzle 3 emits a jet of fine spray of liquid pumped through by a person pumping pump 4.

There are two types of nozzle 3 a micro nozzle that spurts a fine micro-jet and a coarse nozzle 3 that spurts a heavier jet of spray. The micro nozzle disperses a fine mist. The course nozzle disperses a coarse spray. Flow rate through the coarse nozzle is higher than through the fine nozzle. Thus the applicator brush 19 is wetter after being sprayed by a coarse jet than a fine jet.

Each nozzle 3 is replaceable in case it case it become clogged or worn out.

The holster 2 comprises either all fine micro nozzles, or all coarse nozzles, or a variety of both fine and course nozzles.

A volume switch on the exterior of the window cleaning unit can selectively direct clean water to either the micro nozzles or the coarse nozzles or both. The labelled features in the Figures are given in the index below: Second reservoir release door 1

Holster 2

Spray nozzles 3

Hand pump 4

Refill hose 5

Filling cap 6

Main body 7

Pivot pin 8

Front leg brace plate 9

Retractable mechanism spring 10

Rear leg brace plate 11

Viewing window 12

Squeegee holder 15

Pump handle 16

Cord 17

Applicator brush 19

Applicator handle 20 Holster brush 21

Magnet 22 Retractable mechanism front housing 25 Retractable mechanism rear housing 26 Slot 27

Belt loop 28 Main reservoir 29 Clean water in main reservoir 29a Holster opening 30

Retractable mechanism attachment prong 30

Refill hose opening 55 Window cleaning unit 100 Belt 102 Frame 104 Second reservoir 106

Applicator support 108

Variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. For example although reference has been made throughout to a window cleaning unit it will be understood the invention may be used to clean other various surfaces such as floors, surfaces on vehicles and ships and so forth.

All suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.