U.S. patent application number 10/460562 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-16 for tool for cleaning snow and slush from aircraft surfaces.
Invention is credited to Fraser, Mitch.
Application Number | 20040250367 10/460562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33511041 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040250367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fraser, Mitch |
December 16, 2004 |
Tool for cleaning snow and slush from aircraft surfaces
Abstract
A cleaning tool apparatus comprises an elongate handle having a
proximal end for gripping, and a terminal end. A support arm is
pivotally engaged at one of its ends with the terminal end of the
elongate handle. The support arm is positionable over a range of
angles with respect to the elongate handle. A rigid brace joins the
support arm with the elongate handle, for setting an angle between
them. A wiper is engaged medially in a transverse position on the
support arm. The apparatus is used for reaching high places for
removing snow and slush and is particularly useful for cleaning the
top surfaces of aircraft.
Inventors: |
Fraser, Mitch; (Calgary,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT; PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP
3140 RED HILL AVENUE
SUITE 150
COSTA MESA
CA
92626-3440
US
|
Family ID: |
33511041 |
Appl. No.: |
10/460562 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/245 ;
15/144.1; 15/144.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 1/06 20130101; B64F
5/30 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/245 ;
015/144.1; 015/144.4 |
International
Class: |
A47L 001/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaning tool apparatus comprising: an elongate handle having
a proximal end for gripping and a terminal end; a support arm
pivotally engaged at one end thereof with the terminal end of the
elongate handle, the support arm positionable over a range of
angles with respect to the elongate handle; a rigid brace providing
a means for joining the support arm with the elongate handle, the
joining means functionally enabled for setting any one of a
plurality of angles between the support arm and the elongate
handle; and a wiper engaged medially in a transverse position on
the support arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wiper is a squeegee.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rigid brace provides a
means for adjustment of the angle between the elongate handle and
the support arm.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adjustment means is a
series of holes arranged in axial sequence along the rigid
brace.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongate handle comprises a
plurality of individual handle segments, the handle segments
engagable in end-to-end attachment.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the handle segments and the
support arm and the wiper each have a maximum length of 5 feet.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the handle segments are
mutually engaged using a ball-in-hole arrangement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and
all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and
printed matter cited or referred to in this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to tools for cleaning
surfaces that are out of reach, and more particularly to such a
tool for cleaning aircraft surfaces such as the top of wings and
stabilizers.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0004] Shea, U.S. Des. 360,342 describes a tool handle with
interchangeable shovel blade design.
[0005] Tatge, U.S. Pat. No. 1,572,824 describes a tool comprising a
concavo-convex cross sectional elongated blade, a shank secured to
the convex side of said blade midway its ends and terminating
beyond the upper longitudinal edge thereof in a ball, a handle,
straps secured to one end of said handle and terminating in
concavo-convex resilient members in a manner to form a socket for
receiving the ball, said ball having a circumferential series of
spaced notches, with each notch disposed substantially at right
angles to the length of the socket and being adapted to lessen the
liability of the ball casually turning in the socket.
[0006] Nehls, U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,375 describes a snow removal
device for removing snow from roofs and comprises a blade connected
to a sectional handle. A pair of handle sections is interconnected
together by coupling members, which permit angular adjustment
between the sections. Each coupling member is provided with a
plurality of teeth, which interlock with teeth on the other
coupling member thereby permitting a wide range of adjustment
between the respective handle sections. By angularly adjusting the
sections, the blade may be positioned in proper relation with
respect to the surface of the roof; thereby permitting the snow to
be removed from the roof in a highly effective manner while the
user is standing on the ground.
[0007] Mirto, U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,943 describes a snow remover for
automobiles and the like in which a novel structure for a fold-over
handle is provided. The handle then telescopes for compact
carrying. Spring loaded snap locks are provided to keep the handle
rigid during use. A wingnut and threaded bolt are used to keep the
invention rigid when the handle is unfolded. The rubber-scraping
blade is easily replaced.
[0008] Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,369 describes a snow removal
device that permits a user to subdivide and then pull down sections
of snow accumulated on a roof or other surface. An elongated handle
supports an oppositely disposed blade and cutter, the cutter
preferably having a taut wire between side struts attached to a top
edge of the blade. The user draws the cutter through a section of
snow, subdividing a rectangular slab of snow from the accumulated
snow, then flips the device over and removes the slab with the
blade. The cutter is generally perpendicular to the handle and the
blade is inclined to lift the snow in the pulling direction. The
cutter can be height adjustable and wheeled at the side struts,
with the side struts shaped and coated for minimal friction. The
handle can be length adjustable, e.g., by telescoping, and
angularly adjustable or compactly collapsible via an articulation
having complementary splines and groove for setting an articulation
angle.
[0009] Schbot, U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,793 describes a multipurpose
squeegee intended for use in removing snow, slush, water and other
liquids from automobile surfaces and various other surfaces. The
squeegee comprises a downwardly open U-shaped base within which are
secured two layers of polyethylene foam or similar material. The
foam extends slightly beyond the ends of the base to prevent damage
to adjacent surfaces. A handle is attached to the base. A generally
Y-shaped deflector with the upper arms thereof formed as curved
wings is attached to the upper surface of the base to deflect
excess material in the direction that the squeegee is being
moved.
[0010] Hauck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,413 describes a roof snow rake
blade having a spacer, preferably in the form of a roller, attached
at its bottom edge to space the bottom edge away from the roofing
while not interfering with the normal snow-removal function of the
blade.
[0011] Katauskas, U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,315 describes a snow removal
apparatus generally comprising a wheeled head frame coupled to a
handle and further having a slide suspended between the wheeled
head frame and the handle. The head frame of the snow removal
apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular base plate having
side plates extending therefrom so as to support an axle upon which
at least one wheel is rotatably mounted. A first end of the slide
is secured to the axle of the head frame and the second end of the
slide is attached to the handle at a distance from the head frame
that is substantially greater than the width of the head frame.
[0012] Drew, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,791 describes a snow removal
system that has a primary cutter assembly and a series of
specialized attachments. The cutter assembly is formed from a
length of aluminum bent to form a single horizontal cutting bar
with two vertical cutting wings. The cutter bar has a tailpiece
formed from a length of stiff but flexible plastic attached to the
back edge. An elevated center bar serves as the thrust point and
fixture for several of the attachments. The attachments to the
cutter assembly include: a toggling plate; extensions to the
vertical side bars that can be forward, vertical or trailing; a
starting aid and depth setter; an edge limiting aid; a broom, set
to the proper angle for a given application; an extension to the
plastic tailpiece; and a bottom protector plate. Thrust or pull for
the cutter assembly is achieved by the use of several special
push-pull tubes. A simple elastic cord is used to secure the
plastic tailpiece to the cutter assembly for storage.
[0013] Biro, U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,258 describes an apparatus
including a planar engagement member, a plurality of support
members, and a cylindrical handle member. The engagement member can
move a bulk material across a substantially planar surface. The
plurality of cylindrical support members is fixedly attached to the
engagement member. The cylindrical handle member is fixedly
attached to the plurality of support members. The handle member
transfers a force through the support members to the engagement
member.
[0014] The prior art teaches a tool handle with interchangeable
shovel blade, various scrapers for ice and snow including those
with adjustable angle, telescoping handles, long reach devices with
adjustable elbows, ball-in-hole attachment for adjustment, angled
braces, fixed angled support arms, interchangeable attachments, and
planar pushers for moving material on a planar surface; but does
not teach a long-reach tool with adjustable angle between handle
and the support for the working element of the tool. The present
invention fulfills these needs and provides further related
advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0016] The invention is a cleaning tool with an elongate handle
having a proximal end for gripping, and a terminal end. A support
arm is pivotally engaged at one of its ends with the terminal end
of the elongate handle. The support arm is positionable over a
range of angles with respect to the elongate handle. A rigid brace
joins the support arm with the elongate handle, for setting an
angle between them. A wiper is engaged medially in a transverse
position on the support arm. The apparatus is used for reaching
high places for removing snow and slush and is particularly useful
for cleaning the top surfaces of aircraft.
[0017] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0018] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
reaching high surfaces for scrapping snow or other loose matter
from said surfaces.
[0019] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of being adjusted for angle of reach.
[0020] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of being easily broken-down into components for portability
and storage.
[0021] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a partial view showing the work end thereof;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial view of a medial portion thereof;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the invention as
used for cleaning an aircraft surface;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the invention as
used for cleaning high windows; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing the invention as
used for cleaning the top of a truck trailer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description.
[0030] The present invention is a cleaning tool apparatus
comprising an elongate handle 10 having a proximal end 12 for
gripping by a person using the tool, and a distal terminal end 14.
The total length of the handle is usefully between 10 and 30 feet.
A support arm 20 is pivotally engaged at one end of the handle 10
by a pivotal collar 22 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the support arm
20 is positionable over a range of angles .alpha. with respect to
the handle 10. The angle .alpha. is preferably between about 90 and
135 degrees, but may be greater or less when the tool is used for
specialty applications. A rigid brace 30 which may be a simple
strap, provides a means for joining 32 of the support arm 20 with
the handle 10 at any preferred one of the range of angles .alpha.
as desired for reaching a work surface.
[0031] Thus the joining means 32 is functionally enabled for
setting a particular angle .alpha.. Three pivot pins 34 are used to
respectively engage the handle 10 with the support arm 20, the
handle 10 with the brace 30 and the brace 30 with the support arm
20, as best seen in FIG. 1.
[0032] A wiper 40 is engaged medially in a transverse position at
the end of the support arm 20, as shown in FIG. 1 Preferably, this
wiper 40 is a squeegee of the type used for commercial floor
cleaning and made of a material that is non-marking of surfaces.
Preferably, the means for adjustment of the angle .alpha. between
the elongate handle 10 and the support arm 20 is a series of holes
arranged in axial sequence along the rigid brace 30 (see FIG. 3).
The pivot pin 34 joining the handle 10 with the brace 30 may be set
into any one of the selected holes 32 to adjust the angle .alpha..
Preferably, the handle 10 comprises, or is made up of, a plurality
of individual handle segments 15 which are engagable for end-to-end
attachment so that one or more of the segments may be joined to
make a handle of a desired length. Obviously, the handle 10 may
comprise only one of the segments 15 when extended reach is
unnecessary. This engagement is preferably carried out using a
ball-in-hole arrangement 18 as is well known for interconnecting
tubes, such as with beach umbrellas and such, and as best
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0033] Preferably, the handle segments 15, the support arm 20, the
rigid brace 30, and the wiper 40 each have a maximum length of 5
feet. When the apparatus, therefore, is taken apart, it is easily
packaged in a sleeve or similar package with the various parts
placed in side-by-side alignment for compact storage or for being
carried from place to place. It is important to make the present
invention apparatus as a light weight tool. To accomplish this, the
parts are preferably made of light weight and strong materials such
as aluminum or carbon fiber composite. The squeegee is preferably
made of rubber or the like. The key features of the present
invention is the ability to offset the squeegee 40 from the axis of
the handle 10 and to adjust the angle .alpha. and the handle
length. This enables the tool to reach and clear surfaces that are
in excessive heights and surfaces above and facing away from the
mechanic using the tool. The tool is able to effectively reach
around corners and onto the top of high surfaces. The tool is
particularly adapted for use in the commercial and general
avaiation industries.
[0034] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the
invention.
* * * * *