Patent Application
20230232969
The instant invention relates to body-worn harnesses, holsters, belts or other garments for carrying items, and more particularly to devices for carrying window cleaning equipment on the body.
Window cleaning or washing, particularly on high-rise commercial buildings, can be a difficult and often dangerous task requiring skill, expertise and specialized equipment. An important piece of that equipment is often one or more rubber-bladed wiping devices, each known as a squeegee. Squeegees of different sizes can be used for different applications. Often a user will carry two or more squeegees for a particular window cleaning job.
When working on an elevated platform, workers often carrying a full load of items to avoid the time-consuming descent to retrieve some omitted item. In order to perform their tasks more efficiently, window cleaning personnel often carry a number of items for ready access, including, but not limited to one or more squeegees, handled mops, sponges, scrapers, steel wool, solvent applicators, buckets, hoses, soap containers, and wiping rags. Further, bulky items such as larger squeegees and extension poles can all take up limited space on the elevated platform.
In order to organize and provide ready access to the large number of items used by window cleaning personnel, various harnesses, caddies, holsters, specialized work clothes and other item carriers may have been proposed. Many of such carriers are bulky, expensive, are not versatile enough to carry different items, and do not securely hold items while allowing for easy and rapid removal of items.
One major problem with many prior body-worn window cleaning item carriers is that they do not efficiently trap the drips of liquid falling from the squeegee loaded into the carrier. Inadvertent drips falling on previously cleaned section of windows can greatly reduce efficiency by causing the cleaner to have to re-clean the window pane hit by the drip.
Therefore, there is a need for a body-worn, window cleaning caddy which addresses some or all of the above identified inadequacies.
The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provide an improved cleaning supplies caddy. These and other objects are achieved by an item supporting sleeve nested within a drip-catching reservoir.
In some embodiments there is provided a window cleaning supplies caddy which comprises: a back panel elongated along an axis; said back panel having an axial upper end and an opposite axial lower end; a sleeve formed near said upper end; a bucket formed near said lower end; said sleeve having an open top inlet bordered by a rim, and an open bottom outlet; a hinge between said sleeve and said bucket allowing relative motion of the sleeve and bucket between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
In some embodiments said bucket has a top opening bordered by a brim and a closed bottom; said top opening being shaped and dimensioned to axially and loosely engage said outlet; and, said top opening being further shaped and dimensioned to include a peripheral gap between said sleeve and said lip while said bucket is in said closed position.
In some embodiments back panel comprises a band of flexible sheet material.
In some embodiments said back panel is flexible between an arcuate configuration wherein a lateral cross-section has an arcuate shape and flattened configuration wherein said lateral cross-section has a substantially linear shape.
In some embodiments said top opening being further shaped and dimensioned to allow angular movement of said bucket about said hinge without interference from contact with said sleeve.
In some embodiments said outlet extends axially below said lip while said bucket is in said engaged configuration.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises a releasable lock for locking said bucket in said engaged configuration.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises: said bucket has a shape which tapers to become narrower from said top opening toward said closed bottom; and, wherein said engaged configuration is adjustable to narrow said peripheral gap by more deeply engaging said top opening into said outlet.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises: a squeegee; and, wherein said top inlet is shaped and dimensioned to allow insertion of an arm of said squeegee therethrough.
In some embodiments said rim has a notch shaped and dimensioned to nest a handle of said squeegee therein.
In some embodiments said sleeve and said bucket have an integrated posterior concave surface for nesting against the thigh of a user.
In some embodiments said brim comprises a spout.
In some embodiments an outer surface of said sleeve comprises a hydrophillic, high water adhesion material for directing a flow of liquid along an outer surface of said sleeve through said peripheral gap.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises a fastening rig attached to said sleeve.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises at least one tubular retainer formed against the forward facing surface of the back panel and within the sleeve.
In some embodiments there is provided a window cleaning supplies caddy which comprises: a sleeve elongated along an axis; said sleeve having an open top inlet bordered by a rim, and an open bottom outlet; a bucket having a top opening bordered by a brim and a closed bottom; said top opening being shaped and dimensioned to axially and loosely engage said open bottom outlet; said top opening being further shaped and dimensioned to include a peripheral gap between said sleeve and said brim.
In some embodiments said caddy further comprises: a hinge rotatively connecting said bucket to said sleeve; said hinge allowing relative movement of said bucket with respect to said sleeve between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
In some embodiments there is provided a method for carrying a window cleaning squeegee, said method comprises: selecting a body-worn caddy having a sleeve and a bucket rotatably connected to said sleeve at a hinge; inserting an arm of a squeegee through said sleeve and into said bucket; awaiting drips of cleaning liquid to drain off of said squeegee; wherein said awaiting comprises: flowing of said drips over an outer surface of said sleeve and into said bucket; and, rotating said bucket about said hinge to drain said drips from said bucket.
In some embodiments there is provided a window cleaning supplies caddy comprises: an oblong, outwardly concave arcuate back panel comprising a top end and a bottom end; an arcuate outwardly convex bucket panel; a substantially U-shaped peripheral seal between said back panel and said bucket panel forming a reservoir near said bottom end; an arcuate, outwardly convex, item-supporting sleeve nested between said bucket panel and said back panel; wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of lateral edges bonded to said peripheral seal; and, wherein said sleeve is shaped and dimensioned to form an arcuate gap between said sleeve and said bucket panel.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises: said bucket panel having a shape which tapers to become narrower from a top opening toward a closed bottom.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises: a squeegee; said sleeve having an open top inlet; and, wherein said top inlet is shaped and dimensioned to allow insertion of an arm of said squeegee therethrough.
In some embodiments said open top inlet is bordered by an undulating upper lip shaped and dimensioned to nest a handle of said squeegee therein.
In some embodiments an outer surface of said sleeve comprises a hydrophillic, high water adhesion material for directing a flow of liquid along an outer surface of said sleeve through said arcuate gap.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises a lateral septum spanning said sleeve.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises: said back panel being elongated along an axis; said back panel having an axial upper part and an opposite axial lower part; wherein said axial upper part forms a portion of said sleeve, and said axial lower part forms a portion of said bucket.
In some embodiments said reservoir has a substantially semi-conical shape narrowing towards the bottom end.
In some embodiments said sleeve has a bottom outlet spaced apart from said bottom end.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises: a flexible belt loop formed on said top end.
In some embodiments said bucket is moveable with respect to said flexible belt loop in order to drain liquid from said bucket.
In some embodiments there is provided a window cleaning supplies caddy which comprises: a sleeve elongated along an axis; said sleeve having an open top inlet bordered by a rim, and an open bottom outlet; a bucket having a top opening bordered by a brim and a closed bottom; said top opening being shaped and dimensioned to axially and loosely engage said open bottom outlet; said top opening being further shaped and dimensioned to include a peripheral gap between said sleeve and said brim; and, wherein said bucket is moveable in order to drain liquid from said bucket.
In some embodiments the caddy further comprises: a flexible belt loop rotatively connecting said bucket to a belt worn by a user; said belt loop allowing relative angular movement of said bucket with respect to said belt.
In some embodiments there is provided a method for carrying a window cleaning squeegee, said method comprises: selecting a body-worn caddy having a sleeve and a bucket loosely engaged by said sleeve to form a gap therebetween; inserting a wet arm of a squeegee through said sleeve and into said bucket; awaiting drips of cleaning liquid to drain off of said squeegee; wherein said awaiting comprises: flowing of said drips over an outer surface of said sleeve, through said gap and into said bucket; and, moving said bucket in order to drain said drips from said bucket.
In some embodiments said moving comprises: rotating said bucket with respect to a flexible belt loop connecting said caddy to a belt worn by a user.
The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.
In this specification, the references to top, bottom, upward, downward, inward, outward, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, sideways, lateral, back, front, etc. can be used to provide a clear frame of reference for the various structures with respect to other structures while the caddy is being worn by a user as shown in
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Part of the top inlet can be bordered by an undulating upper lip 27 while part of the lower outlet can be bordered by a lower lip 28. The upper lip can have a pair of downwardly extending lateral notches 23a, 23b shaped and dimensioned to have a generally rounded shape of a given radius in order to securely nest the typically cylindrical handle 7 of the squeegee 8 therein. The bucket 30 can be formed by a curved piece of rigid sheet material having a shape similar to a partial cone having a curved wall 38 whose lateral and bottom edge 31 is attached to and sealed against the front surface of the back panel 10 near its lateral sides 18,19 and bottom edge 14. The inside surface of the bucket can have a layer of waterproof material such as 18 ounce vinyl sheeting. In this way, the bucket can have a curved top opening 32 bordered by a brim 37 leading to a waterproof internal reservoir 34 which can have a downwardly tapering substantially rounded wedge or conic shape so that the bottom of the reservoir terminates in a narrow pit 33 for capturing the narrow end of a squeegee arm or the end or a mop handle for example. The pit can be laterally dimensioned to have a width W (shown in
The combination of the tapered bucket 30, the narrower inner passageway 24 of the sleeve 20, and the notches 23a, 23b in the upper lip 27 serve to capture the squeegee 8 while carried in the caddy, but also allow for rapid removal and use of the squeegee. Captured items are less likely to rattle during walking movement of the user and the swinging of the caddy. The inside surfaces of the bucket and sleeve can be smooth allowing unobstructed sliding and guiding of any oblong item such as a squeegee arm down through the sleeve passageway, bucket, and into the pit.
The shape and dimensioning of the brim 37 of the bucket 30 can be oversized with respect to the lower lip 28 of the sleeve 20 allowing the brim to be loosely engaged by the sleeve. This loose engagement can provide a peripheral drainage gap 49 between the brim and the lower lip to allow the unimpeded passage of drips 51 therethrough and on into the bucket to be trapped in the reservoir 34. The loose engagement also allows the bucket to swing between the bucket-engaged and bucket disengaged configurations without interference. The gap also allows for insertion of additional tools such as squeegee arms therethrough.
The sleeve 20 can include an outer surface veneer layer of relatively hydrophillic, high water adhesion material such as ballistic nylon. This material allows the outer surface of the sleeve to retain and direct liquid droplets downwardly toward the lower end, through the gap and into the bucket portion instead of glancing off the outer surfaces of the caddy and onto clean windows. The outer surfaces of the entire caddy can include a layer of hydrophillic material such as ballistic nylon to act as a kind of sponge to further prevent unwanted drips by capturing and dispensing liquids, and upon saturation of a local zone, guiding additional water downward while maintaining adhesion.
A tubular organizing retainer 40 can be formed against the forward facing surface of the back panel and within the sleeve 20. The front portion of the retainer can form a laterally extending vertical septum separating the inner passageway of the retainer from an inner passageway 24 of the sleeve, and thereby narrow the upper passageway of the sleeve. The retainer can be shaped and dimensioned to secure a mop handle and squeegee arm in a side-by-side configuration to further secure and organize the items in place within the caddy. The retainer has smooth inside and outside surfaces to avoid snags and other obstructions during insertion of items through the retainer or outside the retainer and into the sleeve. A top rim 41 has a pair of opposite lateral clefts 42a (far cleft hidden) for capturing the laterally projecting handles of items such as squeegees. The clefts can be located against the back panel in order to prevent the handles of squeegees held by the retainer to interfere with the handles of squeegees held by the notches 23a, 23b in the upper lip 27 of the sleeve. A bottom rim 43 of the retainer terminates an axial distance D from the brim 37 of the bucket 30 in order to avoid rigidizing the back panel 10 near the bucket. Such rigidization would tend to prevent the back panel from having the flexibility to form a hinge as will be described below. One or more retainers can be provided to more completely organize and secure tools engaging the sleeve.
A tool loop 45 is secured to the outside surface of the bucket 30 to capture additional tools and to act as a graspable handle for manipulating the bucket during a bucket dumping process described below. A top rim 46 of the loop can have a pair of opposite lateral clefts 47a, 47b for capturing the laterally projecting handles of items such as squeegees.
The bucket 30 and sleeve 20 can be hingedly interconnected at a hinge 50 which allows relative angular movement between the bucket and sleeve about a substantially transverse rotation axis 56 which can be substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis 6 of the caddy 2.
The hinge 50 can be formed by a web or band of flexible material forming part of the back panel 10.
As shown primarily in the enlarged part of
In a typical in-use, bucket-engaged configuration as shown in
The bucket 30 is held in the bucket-engaged configuration by a lock 60 which can be formed by a side release snap-fit buckle including a catch member 61 secured to an outer surface of the caddy such as on the sleeve 20, and a hook member 62 adjustably secured to a flexible strap 63 which is attached at a lower terminus 69 to the inner surfaces of the bucket.
By being adjustable, the lock 60 allows the position of the bucket 30 in its bucket-engaged configuration to be adjusted so that the lower lip 28 more deeply engages the tapered walls of the bucket and thus narrows the gap 69 between the sleeve 20 and bucket. A narrower gap can help prevent liquid from sloshing out of the bucket when it becomes full and when squeegee arms are not present to act as baffles to the trapped liquid. A wider gap allows more tools to be inserted into the gap for additional storage.
By locating the terminus inside the bucket, drips from the lock are guided into the bucket reservoir. The curved free edge 39 of the bucket in combination with the attached strap acts as a spout for directing a stream of liquid from the reservoir in a controlled manner. The shape of the free edge can include a front notch or other structure to improve the spout.
It should be noted that the pair of slits 29 on the posterior edge of the lower lip 28 of the sleeve 20 where it joins to the back panel 10 can include a continuous, downwardly sloping edge 59 from the point of contact 58 with the back panel. The slits, in combination with the hydrophillic material layer on the outside surface of the sleeve, causes drips to be carried away from the band of material forming the hinge 50,50′. In this way the caddy avoids drips caused during motion of the bucket about the hinge. It also avoids pinch points which can tend to trap liquid and saturate and foul the binding between the back panel and the parts of the bucket and sleeve contacting the back panel near the hinge.
The back panel 10 of the caddy can be formed from an oblong piece of semirigid laminar material such as a layer of durable, flexible plastic sandwiched between layers of 18 ounce vinyl sheeting and ballistic nylon. This allows the necessary flexibility of the back panel to act as a hinge 50 for angularly displacing the bucket 30 with respect to the sleeve 20. Alternately, it shall be understood that the back panel can be formed by separate rigid arcuate panels joined by a flexible web forming the hinge.
The upper lip 27 of the sleeve portion 20 can include edge guards 65 made of compressible material such as foam rubber having a durometer of between about 40A and 80A. The edge guards can be glued to the edges and the outer surface layers sewn over. The compressible edge guards can have an enlarged axial cross-section 66 so that a wider surface area is provided for the rubber blades of the squeegee to rest against. In this way the flatness of the squeegee blade is protected, thereby reducing the incidence of replacement.
A bottom toe guard 68 of more durable material than the back panel, such as hard plastic or steel can be formed onto the bottom outer tip of the bucket, as this site is often a point of high wear.
Referring now to
The caddy 70 can include a back panel 72 this can be substantially flat or outwardly concave as shown in
The front of the caddy 70 can include an upper portion forming a substantially tubular hollow retaining sleeve 81 and a lower portion forming a liquid trapping bucket 91. The sleeve can be formed by an outwardly convex, arcuate panel of substantially rigid sheet material having its lateral edges 82,83 attached to and sealed against the back panel 72 along the peripheral seam 79 formed along its lateral sides 77,78.
The inwardly facing surfaces of the sleeve can have a layer of waterproof material such as 18 ounce vinyl sheeting. In this way, the sleeve 81 can form a waterproof inner passageway 84 which extends axially between an open top inlet and an open lower outlet similar to that shown in
The bucket 91 can be formed by a curved piece of rigid sheet material forming a curved bucket panel 92 having a shape similar to a partial cone having a curved wall whose lateral and bottom edge 93 is attached to and sealed against the front surface of the back panel 72 along the peripheral seam 79 formed along its lateral sides 77,78 thus forming a substantially U-shaped seal between the bucket panel and the back panel. The inside surface of the bucket can have a layer of waterproof material such as 18 ounce vinyl sheeting. In this way, the bucket can have a curved top opening 94 bordered by a brim 95 leading to a waterproof internal reservoir which can have a downwardly tapering substantially rounded wedge or conic shape as formed by the curved bucket panel 92 and back panel 72. In this way, the bottom of the reservoir can terminate in a narrow pit similar to the embodiment of
Similarly to the embodiment of
Similarly to the embodiment of
Similarly to the embodiment of
Similarly to the embodiment of
A pair of tool loops 98, 99 can be secured to the outside surface of the bucket panel 92 to capture additional tools and to act as a graspable handle for manipulating the caddy during a bucket dumping process described below. The loops can be formed by strip of durable flexible fabric material such as canvas having its ends 97 bonded to the seam and a central portion 89 bonded to the outer surface of the bucket panel. In this way the bonding of the two ends can occur using the same single stitching process when forming the seam 79 which bonds the bucket panel 92 and lateral edges 82, 83 of the sleeve 81 to the back panel 72. Using a single stitching reduces manufacturing costs and greatly improves quality control during manufacturing of the caddy. In this way the squeegee caddy can conveniently carrying a number of wet or soaking window cleaning items such as squeegees on a user's belt. The caddy can be made from substantially rigid, durable fabric sheet material, and thus the entire caddy can be machine washed.
Referring now to
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.
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/100,834 filed Nov. 21, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/228,449 filed Dec. 20, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,842,252, issued Nov. 24, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional utility patent application Ser. No. 62/608,377, filed Dec. 20, 2017, and which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/640,855, filed Mar. 16, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62608377 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16228449 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 17100834 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17100834 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Child | 18126959 | US | |
| Parent | 29640855 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 16228449 | US |
