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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to janitorial services, building maintenance and more specifically to the window cleaning industry.

BACKGROUND

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.

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.

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.

However, such a devices can exhibit some problems.

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.

Second, it may be difficult to replace the hook-and-vane fastener patches on the head itself, especially of the patches are glued on.

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.

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.

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.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus which addresses one or more of the above identified inadequacies.

SUMMARY

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.

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.

In some embodiments said inner surface contacts said head in absence of an adhesive.

In some embodiments said sheath secures to said head using fasteners carried on board the sheath.

In some embodiments said head has a substantially cylindrical shape.

In some embodiments said outer surface comprises a substantially cylindrical shape having closed ends.

In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener covers said closed ends.

In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener contiguously extends across said outer surface between said closed ends.

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.

In some embodiments said hook type of a hook-and-vane fabric fastener contiguously extends over said at least one flap.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In some embodiments said method further comprises: securing said sheath to said head using a fastener disposed upon a flap of said sheath.

In some embodiments said securing comprises: folding over said flap across said cavity.

In some embodiments said method further comprises: removing said sheath from said head; and, machine washing said sheath.

The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a window washing worker employing a cleaning tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of the sheath separated from the tool head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the sheath mounted to the tool head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a rag mounted to the sheath mounted to the tool head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a sheath intimately mounting to a quadrangular tool head.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a sheath intimately mounting to a tool head having a triangular surface.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.