U.S. patent application number 12/792948 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for hand held devices for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, window or the like.
Invention is credited to Christian White.
Application Number | 20100306947 12/792948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43298153 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100306947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; Christian |
December 9, 2010 |
HAND HELD DEVICES FOR CLEARING OFF OR CLEANING THE SURFACE OF A
WINDSHIELD, WINDOW OR THE LIKE
Abstract
A hand held device for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a
windshield, window or the like. The hand held device includes a
blade, a forearm brace, and a handle which is disposed between the
blade and the forearm brace. The blade preferably includes a front
edge, and preferably the handle is parallel to the front edge. The
forearm brace includes a forearm-engaging portion which is
configured to contactably engage a forearm of a user during use.
The forearm brace may comprise walls which extend generally from
the handle to the forearm-engaging portion, as well as an opening
which is disposed generally between the handle and the
forearm-engaging portion. Preferably, the palm of a user's hand is
the fulcrum point during use of the hand held device. The device
may also be reversible to gain maximum mechanical advantage of for
example, a two-bladed scraper or squeegee.
Inventors: |
White; Christian; (Rockford,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK HILL PLC
150 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 2700
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
43298153 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792948 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61183925 |
Jun 3, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/236.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 1/06 20130101; A47L
1/15 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/236.02 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/02 20060101
A47L013/02 |
Claims
1. A hand held device for clearing off or cleaning a surface such
as a windshield, window or the like, said hand held device
comprising: a blade configured to engage the surface; a forearm
brace; and a handle disposed between the blade and the forearm
brace.
2. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the blade
comprises a front edge, and the handle is parallel to the front
edge of the blade.
3. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the forearm
brace comprises a forearm-engaging portion which is configured to
contactably engage a forearm of a user during use.
4. A hand held device as recited in claim 3, wherein the forearm
brace comprises walls which extend generally from the handle to the
forearm-engaging portion.
5. A hand held device as recited in claim 4, wherein the forearm
brace comprises an opening which is disposed generally between the
handle and the forearm-engaging portion.
6. A hand held device as recited in claim 3, wherein the handle and
the forearm-engaging portion are configured to provide that a palm
of a user's hand is the fulcrum point during use of the hand held
device.
7. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device is formed of plastic.
8. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device is injection-molded.
9. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device is formed of at least one of nylon, an Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS) blend and metal.
10. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device further comprises at least one brush.
11. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device further comprises at least one brush on the forearm
brace.
12. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device comprises an ice scraper.
13. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device comprises a squeegee.
14. A hand held device as recited in claim 13, wherein the blade
comprises a front edge, further comprising an elastomeric member
provided at the front edge of the blade.
15. A hand held device as recited in claim 13, further comprising
at least one wiper on the squeegee.
16. A hand held device as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least
one wiper is comprised of at least one of foam and sponge.
17. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the hand held
device is reversible.
18. A hand held device as recited in claim 1, wherein the forearm
brace is symmetric.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION (PRIORITY CLAIM)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
application Ser. No. 61/183,925, filed Jun. 3, 2009, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to hand held devices
for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a windshield, window or
the like, such as ice scrapers and squeegees, and more specifically
relates to a hand held device which is ergonomic, designed to
provide for improved leverage during use, and easy to use.
[0003] Generally speaking, ice scrapers are conventional and
typically include a handle at one end and a scraper blade at the
other. In use, a user holds the handle of the ice scraper and
drives the scraper blade across a surface from which the user wants
to remove ice, such as from the windshield of a vehicle.
Conventional ice scrapers are generally relatively difficult to use
due to the fact that their design provides for a lack of leverage
as well as an awkward positioning of the user's hand during
operation. As a result, a user is forced to expend much effort and
downward force, and is required to work a long time, in order to
scrape ice away. Similar is the action to use a conventional
squeegee to remove grime and/or bugs from a windshield, window or
the like.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
[0004] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to
provide a hand held device which is ergonomic.
[0005] Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is
to provide a hand held device which provides for increased leverage
during use.
[0006] Yet another object of an embodiment of the present invention
is to provide a hand held device which is easy to use.
[0007] Briefly, a specific embodiment of the present invention
provides a hand held device which comprises a blade, a forearm
brace, and a handle disposed between the blade and the forearm
brace. The hand held device may include additional features such as
one or more brushes, or one or more foam or sponge wipers, and may
take the form of varying shapes, sizes and constructions depending
on the application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The organization and manner of the structure and operation
of the invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice scraper which is in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the ice scraper shown
in FIG. 1, but shows an arm and hand of a user engaged with the ice
scraper;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0012] FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of ice scraper alternative
embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a squeegee which is in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a squeegee or scraper which
is in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a view of an end surface of the device shown in
FIG. 8; and
[0016] FIGS. 10-12 provide three cross-sections; variants of the
handle.
DESCRIPTION
[0017] The invention disclosed herein is susceptible to embodiment
in many different forms. However, specific embodiments are shown in
the drawings and described in detail hereinbelow. The present
disclosure is to be considered an example of the principles of the
invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the
specific embodiments which are illustrated and described
herein.
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention preferably provide a
hand held device for clearing off or cleaning the surface of a
windshield, window or the like, where the hand held device is
ergonomic, designed to provide for improved leverage during use,
and easy to use. The invention may take many forms, some of which
are shown in the Figures. For example, while FIGS. 1-6 illustrate
ice scrapers, FIG. 7 illustrates a squeegee. Still other forms are
possible.
[0019] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an ice scraper 10 which is in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown,
the ice scraper 10 includes a scraper blade 12 at one end 14, and a
forearm brace 16 at the opposite end 18. Disposed between the
scraper blade 12 and the forearm brace 16 is a handle 20.
Preferably the handle 20 is generally parallel with a front edge 22
of the scraper blade 12 which engages and scrapes away ice. This
design provides for increased leverage and provides that basically
the entire palm of the user 24 can be used to apply effective force
to the ice scraper 10 in order to facilitate the scraping away of
ice.
[0020] The forearm brace 16 includes a forearm-engaging portion 26
and may or may not include an opening 28 as well as walls 30 which
extend generally from the handle 20 to the forearm-engaging portion
26. As shown in FIG. 2, the forearm-engaging portion 26 of the ice
scraper 10 is configured to contactably engage the forearm 32 of a
user 24 during use, thereby providing enhanced leverage while the
ice scraper 10 is being used to scrape ice. More specifically,
during use, the forearm 32 of a user 24 fits underneath the
forearm-engaging portion 26 while the hand 34 of the user 24 grips
the handle 20. The handle 20 may be round as shown in FIGS. 1 and
4, however anti-rotation variants are depicted in FIGS. 11-13. FIG.
11 illustrates a finger grip oval hold 69; FIG. 12 illustrates a
secondary bar 70 for opposing thumb and FIG. 13 illustrates an
opposing thumb tab 71. Regardless, preferably the ice scraper 10 is
designed such that the palm of the user's hand 34 is the fulcrum
point, generating a large mechanical advantage at the point of the
scraping action. Due to the leverage this design creates, the ice
scraper 10 is easy to use and can be used to quickly and
efficiently scrape away ice.
[0021] Preferably, the entire ice scraper is formed of plastic and
is injection-molded. The ice scraper may be made of, for example,
nylon, polycarbonate and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
blend, and/or a bio-friendly (i.e., green) plastic. The forearm
brace 16 and handle 20 may be injection molded from a lower flex
higher impact plastic, forming the foundation of the design. Softer
plastic, rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer can be assembled or
over-molded onto the handle 20 and/or forearm brace 16 to provide
for enhanced feel and ergonomic appeal. Similarly, the scraper
blade 12 can be manufactured from a hard plastic (i.e.,
polycarbonate, nylon or a similar hard ductile plastic blend) or
metal, per size and ice-scraping ability. The entire ice scraper 10
(i.e., the scarper blade 12, handle 20 and forearm brace 16) may be
formed as a single piece, preferably an injection-molded plastic.
Alternatively, the ice scraper 10 may comprise an assembly of a
plurality of pieces, such as a plurality of plastic pieces having
an over-molded construction. Still further, the forearm-engaging
portion 16 of the ice scraper 10 may comprise a rubber strap which
is molded into, or otherwise secured to, walls 30 of the forearm
brace 16.
[0022] FIG. 3 indicates various possible dimensions for the maximum
number of human interfaces of the ice scraper 10. Specifically,
dimension a may be 3 inches, dimension b may be 14 inches,
dimension c may be 1.5 inches, dimension d may be 20 inches,
dimension e may be 8 inches, and dimension f may be 21 inches. Of
course, the ice scraper may be dimensioned and/or shaped much
differently, yet still remain fully within the scope of the present
invention. For example, the ice scraper can be provided as being
much shorter as shown in FIG. 4 using reference numeral 10a, such
that it easily fits into a glove compartment, in which case
(referencing FIG. 3) the dimensions of ice scraper 10a can be
provided as follows: dimension a may be provided as being 3 inches,
dimension b may be 9 inches, dimension c may be 1.5 inches,
dimension d may be 7 inches, and dimension e may be 8 inches, and
dimension f may be 17 inches. Preferably, even if the ice scraper
is provided as being short such that it fits within a glove
compartment, preferably the scraper blade 12a is still provided as
being wide such that much ice is engaged with the ice scraper
during use.
[0023] Regardless of the specific construction and size selected,
the ice scraper provides for a significant increase in leverage and
scraping power, as well as enhanced mechanical advantage, during
use. As such, the ice scraper is easy to use and can be used to
quickly and easily scrape away ice.
[0024] Alternative embodiments are entirely possible while still
remaining fully within the scope of the present invention. For
example, as shown in FIG. 5, one or more brushes 50 can be provided
on the ice scraper for brushing away ice and/or snow. Each brush 50
can be provided as being a separate, pre-constructed shape which is
press-fit into the forearm brace 16. Alternatively, each brush 50
can be secured via over-molding or be molded directly into the ice
scraper. FIG. 6 illustrates an ice scraper 10b much like those
which have already been described, but with a shortened scraper
blade 12b, an elongated forearm brace 16b and dual brushes 50b.
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a squeegee 10c which is in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the
squeegee 10c is much like the ice scrapers previously described and
includes a blade 12c, a forearm brace 16c, and a handle 20c between
the blade 12c and the forearm brace 16c. The forearm brace 16c
includes a forearm-engaging portion 26c and may or may not include
an opening 28c as well as walls 30c which extend generally from the
handle 20c to the forearm-engaging portion 26c. As shown in FIG. 7,
the forearm-engaging portion 26c of the squeegee 10c is configured
to contactably engage the forearm 32 of a user 24 during use,
thereby providing enhanced leverage while the squeegee 10c is being
used to clean a windshield, window or the like. More specifically,
during use, the forearm 32 of a user 24 fits underneath the
forearm-engaging portion 26c while the hand 34 of the user 24 grips
the handle 20c. Preferably, the squeegee 10c is designed such that
the palm of the user's hand 34 is the fulcrum point, generating a
large mechanical advantage at the point of the squeegee action. Due
to the leverage this design creates, the squeegee 10c is easy to
use and can be used to quickly and efficiently clean a windshield,
window or the like. Preferably, an elastomeric member 60c is
provided at a front edge 22c of the blade 12c to provided for
squeegee action during use. As shown in FIG. 7, the squeegee 10c
may also be provided with an elongated mid-section 62c having
wipers 64c thereon, such as foam or sponge wipers.
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a hand held device 10d similar to those
previously described, but where the forearm brace 16d and handle
20d of the device 10d are symmetric, thereby providing that the
hand held device 10d is effectively reversible meaning that the
device 10d is designed such that a user can gain full mechanical
advantage from either side (17d or 19d) of the device 10d. The
device may take the form of, for example, an ice scraper or
squeegee. FIG. 8 depicts a specific embodiment where the device 10d
is provided as being a squeegee. As shown, preferably the device
10d includes a wiper blade 12d at its leading end 22d on one side
17d of the device 10d, and a sponge or foam member 15d proximate
the wiper blade 12d on the opposite side 19d of the device 10d.
FIG. 9 illustrates the rear surface 21d of the device. 10d. As
shown, preferably the device has blended, opposing radii 23d that
accommodate the forearm brace 16d. The rear surface 21d of the
device 10d is shown as being symmetric, however, it may take other
asymmetric shapes based on environment conditions and
human-mechanical interface requirements.
[0027] While specific embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in
the art may devise various modifications of the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
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