Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Fabric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-11-06
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Fabric
C015S143100, C015S209100, C015S244100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311361
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a hand-supported pivoting cleaning device which enables a user to clean awkwardly configured surfaces or surfaces that are difficult to reach using conventional cleaning devices. Such surfaces include, but are certainly not limited to, windshield interiors and cylindrical surfaces.
Conventional cleaning devices include a sponge back washer described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,237 (Rhodes) by which an elongated handle is attached, via a hinge, to a rectangular base having a sponge attached thereto on the side opposite the hinge.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,450 (Griffin et al) describes a dust mop having an elongated handle pivotally attached to a dust mop carrier portion having an upper rigid portion and a lower cleaning portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,860 (Thielen) describes a mop frame assembly having an elongated handle pivotally attached to a mop via a universal joint including holding members and locking plugs.
However, none of the references described above relate to a cleaning device pivotally attached to a hand-supported guiding and directing portion to enable a user to direct the cleaning device into awkwardly-configured and tight-fitting spaces that are otherwise unreachable by conventional cleaning devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaning device which is pivotally attached to a hand-receiving and supported guiding and directing portion to enable a user to reach and clean surface areas that are awkwardly configured, tight-fitting and otherwise difficult or even impossible to reach and clean using conventional cleaning devices. In particular, the device enables a user to reach and clean such awkwardly configured surfaces by enabling a user to pivotally control a cleaning device using only an outstretched hand.
For example, cleaning the interior of an automobile windshield with a squeegee, sponge, etc. can be awkward due to the narrowing space between the dashboard of the automobile and the base of the windshield. Fitting a cleaning device in that confined space is difficult since conventional cleaning devices are usually hand-held, controlled by an elongated handle. The hand-held cleaning devices are unable to reach the bottom of the windshield interior or other such narrow spaces because the user's hand is made into a fist in order to hold the cleaning device, and therefore the user's fist which is holding the handle wedges between the windshield and the dashboard, thus not only blocking access to the bottom of the windshield but also soiling the windshield and dashboard with body oils as it is wedged there between. Further still, such cleaning devices which are controlled by an elongated handle prove to be difficult to maneuver due to the lack of leverage control.
Therefore, the present invention provides a hand-supported and guided cleaning device in which a cleaning device support plate detachably supports a cleaning device including, but is not limited to, a wiper, a squeegee, a sponge, a cloth and a chamois; and the cleaning device support plate is pivotally attached to a hand-receiving support portion, having an enclosure in which a user may insert his/her fingers or entire hand to thereby controllably direct the cleaning device into tight-fitting spaces that are otherwise inaccessible by conventional cleaning devices. Furthermore, by utilizing an extended hand in the hand-receiving and supporting guiding and direction portion which is adjacent to the pivoting attachment to the cleaning device, the user is able to exercise tremendous leverage control of the cleaning device in an awkwardly configured space.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2315054 (1943-03-01), Heber
patent: 2787501 (1957-04-01), Tuma
patent: 3568237 (1971-03-01), Rhodes
patent: 3760450 (1973-09-01), Griffin
patent: 3778860 (1973-12-01), Thielen
patent: 4945599 (1990-08-01), Flynn
patent: 5010617 (1991-04-01), Nelson
patent: 5402550 (1995-04-01), Lessard
patent: 5499422 (1996-03-01), Lavazoli
patent: 5593460 (1997-01-01), Lessard
patent: 5657507 (1997-08-01), Wasak
patent: 5659916 (1997-08-01), Beatty
patent: 5960509 (1999-10-01), Wu
patent: 0176157 (1935-06-01), None
patent: 153474 (1904-07-01), None
patent: 0614552 (1935-06-01), None
patent: 851677 (1952-10-01), None
patent: 0413636 (1934-07-01), None
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Chin Randall E.
LandOfFree
Hand-supported pivoting cleaning device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hand-supported pivoting cleaning device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hand-supported pivoting cleaning device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2573877