U.S. patent application number 17/098345 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for interlinking sheath for interchangeable cleaning items and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard Evans. Invention is credited to Richard Evans.
Application Number | 20210235958 17/098345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005555001 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210235958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Richard |
August 5, 2021 |
Interlinking sheath for interchangeable cleaning items and
method
Abstract
An interlinking sheath removably and intimately mounts upon the
head of hand manipulable tool. The sheath can be made from pliable,
durable sheet material such as woven nylon fabric. The sheath
includes an outer surface having a hook-type hook-and-vane fabric
fastener. A number of accessories such as squeegees, scrapers,
brushes, bronze wool, and fabric touch-up rags can be
interchangeably mounted to the sheath. The sheath can have a
substantially hollow cylindrical shape having closed ends and an
oblong opening extending along one side. An undulating rim around
the opening forms flaps which can fasten across the opening
allowing the sheath to be intimately and securely mounted to a
rigid cylindrical head on the tool.
Inventors: |
Evans; Richard; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Evans; Richard |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005555001 |
Appl. No.: |
17/098345 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62936300 |
Nov 15, 2019 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/04 20130101;
A47L 13/08 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101; A47L 13/11 20130101; A46B
7/04 20130101; A47L 13/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20060101
A47L013/12; A47L 13/16 20060101 A47L013/16; A47L 13/11 20060101
A47L013/11; A47L 13/08 20060101 A47L013/08; A47L 13/04 20060101
A47L013/04; A46B 7/04 20060101 A46B007/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for interchangeably mounting a plurality of working
accessories to a tool head having an external surface, said
apparatus comprises: a sheath made from a durable, pliable sheet
material; said sheath comprising an outer surface and an inner
surface exposed to an inner cavity; said inner cavity being shaped
and dimensioned to intimately engage said tool head; wherein said
sheath covers at least 90% of said external surface; and, wherein
said outer surface has a surface area of which at least 90%
comprises a hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner surface contacts
said head in absence of an adhesive.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheath secures to said
head using fasteners carried on board the sheath.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said head has a substantially
cylindrical shape.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer surface comprises a
substantially cylindrical shape having closed ends.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said hook type of a
hook-and-vane fabric fastener covers said closed ends.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said hook type of a
hook-and-vane fabric fastener contiguously extends across said
outer surface between said closed ends.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheath further comprises:
said cavity being bordered by a rim; at least one flap extending
from a first portion of said rim; a fastener for securing said flap
to a second portion of said rim; and, wherein said first and second
portions are spaced apart from one another.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said hook type of a
hook-and-vane fabric fastener contiguously extends over said at
least one flap.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises a plurality
of working accessories having a surface adapted to adhere to said
hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener, wherein each of said
accessories is selected from the group consisting of: squeegees,
scrapers, brushes, bronze wool, and fabric touch-up rags.
11. A window cleaning kit comprises: at least one handle-mounted,
three-dimensional working head having an external surface; at least
one sheath shaped and dimensioned to intimately engage over said
head; wherein said sheath comprises at least one pliable flap
movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;
wherein said sheath while in said open configuration comprises an
open cavity intimately engaged by said head; wherein said sheath
comprises at least one fastener for securing a said flap in a
closed configuration; wherein said sheath covers at least 90% of
said external surface; and, wherein said sheath comprises an outer
surface having a surface area of which at least 90% comprises a
hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener.
12. A method for cleaning a window, said method comprises:
selecting a handled tool having head having a given shape and an
external surface; selecting a pliable sheath having a cavity
commensurate with said given shape, said sheath having a surface
area of which at least 90% comprises a hook type of a hook-and-vane
fabric fastener; inserting said head into said cavity; securing
said sheath to said head whereby said sheath covers at least 90% of
said external surface; adhering a first working accessory to said
outer surface; contacting said first working accessory to said
window; removing said first working accessory from said head;
adhering a second working accessory to said outer surface; and,
contacting said second working accessory to said window.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said method further comprises:
removing said second working accessory from said head; wrapping a
fabric rag to said head; and, contacting said rag to said
window.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said method further comprises:
securing said sheath to said head using a fastener disposed upon a
flap of said sheath.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said securing comprises:
folding over said flap across said cavity.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:
removing said sheath from said head; and, machine washing said
sheath.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/936,300, filed Nov. 15, 2019
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to janitorial services, building
maintenance and more specifically to the window cleaning
industry.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Window cleaning or window washing, particularly on high-rise
commercial buildings, can be a difficult and often dangerous task
requiring skill, expertise and specialized equipment. Workers often
require an assortment of items useful to the task including, but
not limited to, one or more squeegees, mops, sponges, scrubbers,
scrapers, brushes, steel or bronze wool, solvent applicators,
buckets, hoses, soap containers, and wiping rags, all of which may
come in varying shapes and sizes. For large or difficult to reach
windows, many of these items may be required to be used with an
extension pole.
[0004] When working on an elevated platform, workers often carry a
full load of window cleaning items to avoid the time-consuming
descent to retrieve some omitted item. Further, the numerous and
bulky items can all take up limited space on the elevated platform.
In addition, in order to perform their tasks more efficiently,
window cleaning personnel often carry a number of items for ready
access. Consequently, less bulky, multi-functional items are often
preferred. Thus, those items which provide greater functionality
are favored because of the potential for reducing the number of
items necessary for ready access.
[0005] Mops having replaceable heads have been available for many
years. For example, a mop system sold under the name Microfiber Mop
Velcro System and commercially available from Filmop USA LLC, of
Conroe, Tex. has a handle engaging a distal head which carries one
or more patches of hook-and-vane fabric fastener such as Velcro
brand fasteners, commercially available from Velcro USA Inc. of
Manchester, N.H. It appears the patches are mounted to the head
using oblong side clips. The mop material attachments have one or
more corresponding patches of fastener sewn on. In this way, when
the mop attachment and head are brought firmly together, an
adhesive bond is formed which can require significant force to
separate. The patches maybe repeatedly brought together and
separated without significant loss of adhesive strength.
[0006] However, such a devices can exhibit some problems.
[0007] First, the hook-and-vane fastener patches may not provide
adequate sticking power for different accessory attachments. Many
hand-held window cleaning devices must withstand significant force
during use. Further, the patch can lose strength over time as is
wears out. Because the attachments are often subjected to heavy
wear, dirt, grime, harsh cleansing chemicals, and the outdoor
environment, they tend to wear out more quickly. The patch itself
may become clogged with debris and be difficult to clean. Further,
it offers very limited flexibility to jury-rigged items, or
locating the attachment with a different preferred orientation.
[0008] Second, it may be difficult to replace the hook-and-vane
fastener patches on the head itself, especially of the patches are
glued on.
[0009] Another potential problem involves variability in the sizes
and shapes of windows and their adjacent structures such as walls,
awnings, and sills. Accommodating these variations can be
difficult. For example, there may be a certain size of flashing or
molding which prevents access to parts of the window pane. Some
windows such as stained glass windows on churches can include
hundreds of separate panes surrounded by raised borders which can
render some wide-headed attachments essentially useless.
[0010] Another problem is that some windows can have very stubborn
stains such as bird droppings which require the application of even
greater localized force to scrub them away. A device which allows
the flexibility to apply a greater localized force is therefore
advantageous.
[0011] T-bar type mopping tools such as the ErgoTec brand T-bar
tool commercially available from Unger Germany GmbH of Solingen,
Germany allows for a replacing a mop attachment on the oblong
cylindrical head of the tool. The mop attachments can be attached
directly to the head. However, as it wears the attachment can begin
to slip making vigorous cleaning difficult.
[0012] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus which addresses
one or more of the above identified inadequacies.
SUMMARY
[0013] The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to
provide an improved hand manipulable cleaning device. These and
other objects are achieved by providing a removable, pliable sheath
having a hook-type hook-and-vane fastener outer surface removably
secured to the head of a tool.
[0014] In some embodiments there is provided an apparatus for
interchangeably mounting a plurality of working accessories to a
tool head having an external surface, said apparatus comprises: a
sheath made from a durable, pliable sheet material; said sheath
comprising an outer surface and an inner surface exposed to an
inner cavity; said inner cavity being shaped and dimensioned to
intimately engage said tool head; wherein said sheath covers at
least 90% of said external surface; and, wherein said outer surface
has a surface area of which at least 90% comprises a hook type of a
hook-and-vane fabric fastener.
[0015] In some embodiments said inner surface contacts said head in
absence of an adhesive.
[0016] In some embodiments said sheath secures to said head using
fasteners carried on board the sheath.
[0017] In some embodiments said head has a substantially
cylindrical shape.
[0018] In some embodiments said outer surface comprises a
substantially cylindrical shape having closed ends.
[0019] In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric
fastener covers said closed ends.
[0020] In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric
fastener contiguously extends across said outer surface between
said closed ends.
[0021] In some embodiments said sheath further comprises: said
cavity being bordered by a rim; at least one flap extending from a
first portion of said rim; a fastener for securing said flap to a
second portion of said rim; and, wherein said first and second
portions are spaced apart from one another.
[0022] In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric
fastener contiguously extends over said at least one flap.
[0023] In some embodiments said apparatus further comprises a
plurality of working accessories having a surface adapted to adhere
to said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener, wherein each
of said accessories is selected from the group consisting of:
squeegees, scrapers, brushes, bronze wool, and fabric touch-up
rags.
[0024] In some embodiments there is provided the combination of a
tool and a sheath, where said tool comprises a proximal handle and
a distal three-dimensional working head having an external surface,
and wherein said sheath comprises: a body made from a durable,
pliable sheet material; said sheath comprising an outer surface
layer and an inner cavity; said inner cavity being shaped and
dimensioned to intimately engage said tool head; wherein said
sheath covers at least 90% of said external surface; and, wherein
at least 90% of the surface area of said outer surface layer
comprises a hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener.
[0025] In some embodiments there is provided a window cleaning kit
which comprises: at least one handle-mounted, three-dimensional
working head having an external surface; at least one sheath shaped
and dimensioned to intimately engage over said head; wherein said
sheath comprises at least one pliable flap movable between an open
configuration and a closed configuration; wherein said sheath while
in said open configuration comprises an open cavity intimately
engaged by said head; wherein said sheath comprises at least one
fastener for securing a said flap in a closed configuration;
wherein said sheath covers at least 90% of said external surface;
and, wherein said sheath comprises an outer surface having a
surface area of which at least 90% comprises a hook type of a
hook-and-vane fabric fastener.
[0026] In some embodiments there is provided a method for cleaning
a window, said method comprises: selecting a handled tool having
head having a given shape and an external surface; selecting a
pliable sheath having a cavity commensurate with said given shape,
said sheath having a surface area of which at least 90% comprises a
hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener; inserting said head
into said cavity; securing said sheath to said head whereby said
sheath covers at least 90% of said external surface; adhering a
first working accessory to said outer surface; contacting said
first working accessory to said window; removing said first working
accessory from said head; adhering a second working accessory to
said outer surface; and, contacting said second working accessory
to said window.
[0027] In some embodiments said method further comprises: removing
said second working accessory from said head; wrapping a fabric rag
to said head; and, contacting said rag to said window.
[0028] In some embodiments said method further comprises: securing
said sheath to said head using a fastener disposed upon a flap of
said sheath.
[0029] In some embodiments said securing comprises: folding over
said flap across said cavity.
[0030] In some embodiments said method further comprises: removing
said sheath from said head; and, machine washing said sheath.
[0031] The original text of the original claims is incorporated
herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a window
washing worker employing a cleaning tool according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of the
sheath separated from the tool head of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the sheath
mounted to the tool head of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a rag mounted
to the sheath mounted to the tool head of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a sheath
intimately mounting to a quadrangular tool head.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a sheath
intimately mounting to a tool head having a triangular surface.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram of the primary steps of a
method for cleaning a window according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0039] In this specification, the references to top, bottom,
upward, downward, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, sideways,
lateral, back, front, proximal, distal, etc. can be used to provide
a clear frame of reference for the various structures with respect
to other structures while the sheath is as shown in FIG. 1, and not
treated as absolutes when the frame of reference is changed, such
as when the sheath is inverted or disassembled.
[0040] The term "substantially" can be used in this specification
because manufacturing imprecision and inaccuracies can lead to
non-symmetricity and other inexactitudes in the shape, dimensioning
and orientation of various structures. Further, use of
"substantially" in connection with certain geometrical shapes, such
as "circular" and "cylindrical", and orientations, such as
"parallel" and "perpendicular", can be given as a guide to
generally describe the function of various structures, and to allow
for slight departures from exact mathematical geometrical shapes
and orientations, while providing adequately similar function.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the degree to
which a departure can be made from the mathematically exact
geometrical references. Further, when referring to the exposed
surface in its substantial entirety, this can mean that minor
portions of the exposed surface such as its edges, borders or where
thread from sewn regions is exposed may not be included in the
referred to surface.
[0041] Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1,
according to a present embodiment of the invention, a window
washing tool 2 having a handle 4 mounted upon the distal end of a
pole 3 which can be hand-manipulated by a user 1. The head 5 of the
tool can be can be releasably covered by a sheath 20 having an
outer surface of hook-type hook-and-vane fabric fastener such as
Velcro brand fastener commercially available from Velcro USA Inc.
of Manchester, N.H. In this way the sheath can be readily engaged
by a number of working accessories, such as, for example, a
squeegee 11, a scrubbing brush 12, a scraper 13, a fabric rag 14,
and a hunk of bronze wool 15, each of which includes an outer
surface which can adhere to the hook-type fastener of the
sheath.
[0042] As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the head 5 of the tool 2
can be a rigid body having an outer surface having a given
geometrical shape such as a cylinder 6 having closed circular ends
7,8. The sheath 20 can be made from a sheet of durable, pliable
fabric material such as woven nylon or canvas which has been sewn
or otherwise shaped to have an oblong, canoe shape which is
substantially commensurate with the shape of the head. The sheath
can have two opposite closed ends 18,19 and a side opening 23 to an
inner cavity 22 which can be shaped and dimensioned to intimately
engage over the head 5 of the tool. The opening 23 can be bordered
by an undulating rim 24. A portion 25 of the rim can extend to form
at least one flap 26 including a fastener 28 such as a snap
fastener which can releasably secure to a corresponding snap
fastener 29 across the opening from the flap. In addition, the
corresponding snap fastener can itself be mounted upon a
cooperating flap 27 which can fold toward the opposite flap 26,
thus enwrapping the sheath over the head.
[0043] The first pair of cooperating flaps 26,27 can be formed near
one end 18 of the sheath 20 while another second pair of
cooperating flaps 31,32 can be formed near the opposite end 19.
Thus, the two pairs of flaps straddle a central gap 30 in the rim
24 which can accommodate passage of the tool handle 4 therethrough
when the sheath is secured upon the head 5. The pairs of snap
fasteners, when locked to one another, prevent the sheath from
inadvertently disengaging from the head. Further, when the snaps
are undone and the flaps folded outward, the side opening is sized
to accommodate sideways passage of the head therethrough when
engaging or disengaging the sheath from the head. In this way the
dimensioning of the sheath can be selected to very closely match
the dimensioning of the head and keep the sheath from shifting
position with respect to the head when secured.
[0044] The sheath 20 can have an outer surface 35 and an inner
surface 36. The outer surface can have at least one patch 40 of
hook-type hook-and-vane fabric fastener extending contiguously over
at least 90% of the exposed surface area of the outer surface, and
can extend to cover the closed ends 18,19. In this way the
hook-type fastener substantially surrounds the head of the tool.
Thus, the hook-type patch can cover both the forward facing arcuate
surface of the head and the rearward facing arcuate surface of the
head. In addition, the substantially circular ends can also be
covered with hook-type fastener.
[0045] In this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheath 20 can almost
completely cover the external surface of the head but for the gap
30 which allows for passage of the handle 4 therethrough. The
hook-type fastener can also extend onto the exposed flaps 26,31.
This broad coverage provides flexibility in the location of
attachment of any given accessory, and allows for different
accessories which may require different orientations. For example,
a squeegee accessory may be best located on the so-called 0-degree,
or most distal portion of the cylindrical head, whereas a scraper
accessory may be best located at a positive angle away from the
most distal portion. It has been found that at least 90% coverage
of the external surface can provide adequate flexibility.
[0046] Further, the sheath can be secured to the head in absence of
any additional adhesive which could foul the surface of the T-bar
tool head. Thus, once the sheath is removed the T-bar can be used
exactly as designed for carrying mop attachments. By using the
snaps mounted to the flaps. The sheath can be secured to the head
in absence of any fastener separate from the sheath. In this way,
the user does not need to worry about losing separate
fasteners.
[0047] As described above, when mounted on the head, the sheath
provides hook-type fabric fastener covering for the head so that it
can securely but removably mount a number of interchangeable
accessories having a corresponding loop-type fabric fastener
surface. Further, a common touch-up rag can be mounted to the same
head in a rapid, easily performed manner.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows that a common cotton fabric rag 14 can be
wrapped around the T-bar type head and held in place by the sheath
20. This allows the worker the freedom to use her handy touch-up
rag on the same tool that she used for scrubbing, and wiping by
merely replacing the scrubbing or wiping accessory with the rag.
The typical woven material of the rag readily adheres to the
hook-type fastener. In addition, because the ends 18,19 of the
sheath also include hook-type fastener, the rag can readily adhere
33 to the ends so that the rag can be used to wipe against
particularly stubborn window stains by applying localized
force-increasing work faces due to the smaller surface area. In
other words, the sheath affords the added flexibility for using the
small ends of the head as working surfaces where greater force
per-unit-area is needed.
[0049] FIGS. 5 and 6 show alternately shaped heads 50,60 which can
be similarly covered by commensurately shaped sheaths 51,52
respectively. Again, by using flaps 53,63 the sheaths can cover at
least 90% of the external surfaces of the heads. And by using flaps
upon which the hook-type fastener is contiguously extended, the
outer surface of each sheath can have at least 90% of its exposed
surface area contiguously covered by hook-type fastener. Further,
when the flaps are folded outward, the side opening of the sheath
is sized to accommodate sideways passage of the head therethrough.
In this way, even for alternately shaped heads, the dimensioning of
the sheath can be selected to very closely match the dimensioning
of the head and keep the sheath from shifting position with respect
to the head when secured.
[0050] FIG. 7 shows a method 70 for cleaning a window. The method
includes selecting 71 a tool head and a commensurately shaped
sheath having most of its outer surface covered with hook-type
fabric fastener. The head is then inserted 72 into the cavity of
the sheath. The sheath can be secured 73 to the head using on-board
flaps and snaps. A first working accessory such as a scrubbing
brush can be adhered 74 to the sheath covered head. That first
working accessory can then be used on the window by contacting 75
it. The first accessory can then be replaced 76 by a second
different accessory such as a scraper. Thereafter, that second
accessory can be used by contacting 77 the window. At some point a
common touch-up rag can be adhered to the sheath. After the job is
complete, the sheath can be removed from the head and machine
washed.
[0051] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be
devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *