Handle extension for cleaning hard to reach places

Abstract

An extension (10) for use in cleaning inaccessible, hard to reach areas (S, H) on a recreational vehicle (V), mobile home, or boat (B). A connector (12) at one end (14) of the extension is used to attach it to a handle (H) gripped by a user (U). A collar (18) attaches to the other end (16) of the extension and includes a threaded shank (22) for attaching a cleaning appliance (A) to the collar. A pin (24) is used to attach the collar to the other end of the extension in a desired position. The ends of the extension are angled so when the extension is connected to the handle, the user can readily position the cleaning appliance on a surface to be cleaned and readily move the appliance over the surface to clean it.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional patent application 60/353,697 filed Feb. 4, 2002.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to cleaning devices for washing recreational vehicles, boats, etc., where portions of vehicle or boat are hard to reach, and more particularly, to an extension attachable to a commercially available handle which allows a person to readily access portions of the vehicle or boat so they can be readily cleaned.

[0004] People who own recreational vehicles (RVs), mobile homes, boats and the like often have a hard time cleaning them. While it is easy to wash down the sides of an RV, for example, the roof of the vehicle is typically taller than the person trying to reach it. So, they cannot readily wash it off unless they climb up on a ladder. While this is not an impossible task, it is cumbersome and time consuming. If the person is elderly or does not get around easily, trying to get up on a ladder carrying a hose and other cleaning materials can be dangerous. For a person owning a boat, washing down the deck of the boat is relatively easy, but cleaning the hull may require having to lift the boat out of the water. On the hand, if the boat is on a trailer, the hull may be easy to clean, but washing off the deck may again require use of a ladder and the attendant inconveniences.

[0005] Further, it will be understood that cleaning may entail more than simply washing off the inaccessible area. Sometimes the person may only want to sweep debris off the surface. Other times they may only want to run a dry cloth over the surface rather than wash and mop it.

[0006] Cleaning systems for cleaning areas typically out of the reach of someone are known in the art. These systems usually include a handle and an extension attachable to the handle. Such extensions are straight pieces one end of which connects to the handle and the other end of which includes an attachment for a mop or brush. While these systems are useful in some applications, they do not provide the assistance necessary to clean the tops of RVs, mobile homes, or boat decks (if the boat is on a trailer), or the boat hull (if the boat is in the water).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an extension for use in cleaning hard to reach areas on RVs, mobile homes, boats and similar inaccessible spots. One end of the extension has a connector adapted to attach the extension to a commercially available handle. The other end of the extension includes a pin or the like for attaching a collar. The collar has a threaded shank for securing a cleaning appliance such as a brush, mop end, or wiping cloth to the collar. The collar is rotatable about the other end of the extension to position the brush, mop end, or wiping cloth in a desired position for cleaning. The extension has angled portions at each end so when the extension is connected to the handle, the user, while standing on the ground, can readily position the brush, mop end, or wiping cloth on the surface to be cleaned and readily move it over the surface to clean it.

[0008] Other objects and features Will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings, FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an extension of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates use of the extension for cleaning the roof of a recreational vehicle or the like;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates use of the extension for cleaning the hull of a boat;

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the extension in which sections at each end of the extension have the same angle;

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of extension which is bow shaped;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a collar fitting on one end of the extension;

[0015] FIG. 7 is an end view of the collar;

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the extension having telescoping sections;

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates clips which fit on the extension for connecting a hose to the extension; and,

[0018] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the extension with a clip attached.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0021] Referring to the drawings, an extension of the present invention is indicated generally 10 in FIG. 1. The extension is for use in cleaning inaccessible and hard to reach areas. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, extension 10 is used by a user U to clean the top surface S of a recreational vehicle V, or a mobile home. In this application, the user stands on the ground, but is still able to clean areas he or she could not otherwise reach without use of a ladder. In FIG. 3, user S can stand on the deck D of a boat B, and clean the hull H of the boat using extension 10.

[0022] Extension 10 first includes a connector 12 which is formed at one end 14 of the extension. Connector 12 is designed to fit in the socket end K of a commercially available handle L. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the user of the invention attaches extension 10 to the handle and then manipulates the completed assembly using the handle to move a cleaning appliance A mounted on the other end 16 of extension 10 over the surface being cleaned. Since there are a variety of commercially available handles, the size and shape of connector 12 is representative only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the construction of the connector can vary without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] A collar indicated generally 18 attaches to the other end 16 of extension 10. The collar includes an annular ring section 20 sized to fit over the end of extension 10 (which is circular in cross-section) and a threaded shank 22 (see FIG. 6) for attaching an appliance A to the collar. A variety of appliances A can be attached to collar 18 by threading shank 22 into a correspondingly threaded bore on the appliance. While appliance A is shown in FIG. 1 to be a mop for mopping a surface, the appliance could also be a brush for sweeping dirt and debris, a cloth for polishing, or brushes for applying paints, coatings, and sealants or the like to the surface.

[0024] Collar 18 attaches to end 16 of extension 10 using a pin 24 installed in this end of the extension. The inner diameter (ID) of ring section 20 of the collar corresponds to the outer diameter (OD) of this end of the extension. Intermediate the length of ring section 20 is an annular race 26 extending circumferentially about the inside of the ring section. A series of spaced openings 28 are formed in ring section 20 and extend from an outer face of the ring section into the race. In FIG. 7, six (6) such openings are shown spaced 60° apart. A slot 30 is formed in the inner face of ring section 20. The slot extends longitudinally of the ring section from the outer end of the section and opens into the race.

[0025] In FIG. 7, slot 30 is shown to be located between two openings 28. Pin 24 projects through the sidewall of extension 10. The distance pin 24 projects is greater than the width of the sidewall forming ring section 20. When collar 18 is fitted onto end 16 of extension 10, slot 30 is first aligned with pin 24. The collar is then pushed onto the end of the extension until the head of pin 24 fits in race 26. The collar is then rotated until the head of the pin snaps through one of the openings 28, locking the collar onto the end of the extension. The pin can be retracted through the opening using finger pressure so the collar can be rotated about the end of the extension until appliance A is in a desired orientation for cleaning.

[0026] In FIG. 1, extension 10 is shown to have respective end sections 14 and 16, and an intermediate section 32. Both of the ends sections are at an angle to intermediate section 32. In FIG. 1, the angle between end section 14 and intermediate section 32 is different than that between end section 16 and the intermediate section. In FIG. 4, an extension 10′ has an intermediate section 32′ and respective end sections 14′ and 16′. In this embodiment, the angle between both end sections and the intermediate section are the same. In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the extension, indicated generally 100, is curved throughout its length. Again it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these configurations are representative only, and that other extension shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Regardless of the embodiment of the extension used, the embodiment shape is designed to allow a user to readily position an appliance A on a surface S to be cleaned and readily move the appliance over the surface to clean it.

[0027] Extension 10 can be made of a ferrous or non-ferrous metal, or of a plastic or composite material. It can also be solid or hollow. Regardless of how it is made, the extension is of a lightweight yet rugged construction so to make easy to install and use and then disassemble and put away.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the invention is indicated generally 200. In this embodiment, the extension comprises two sections 202, 204. Section 204 slidingly fits into section 202. The telescoping of the sections allows the length of the extension to be adjusted. When a desired length of the extension is achieved, a set screw 206 or the like is used to lock the sections in place.

[0029] Finally, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, extension 10 further includes clips 34 by which a hose E, for example, can be secured to the extension. In FIG. 9, a plurality (3) of clips 34 are shown installed on extension 10. One clip is located at each end of the extension, and one clip is in the middle. In FIG. 10, a clip 34 is shown to have two clip segments 34a, 34b. Segment 34a is sized to fit over the body of extension 10, while the other segment 34b is sized to accommodate hose E. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that segment 34b could be larger than shown in FIG. 10 depending upon the size of the hose. It will further be recognized that the hose can be a water hose, an air hose, or a paint hose or the like. Alternatively, extension 10 is hollow with connector 12 adapted to fit on the end of a hose (not shown), and the other end to which collar 18 attaches having an opening formed therein for water to be delivered to clth or mop attached to this end of the extension.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained.

[0031] As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An extension for use in cleaning inaccessible and hard to reach areas on a recreational vehicle, mobile home, or boat comprising:

a connector formed at one end of the extension and adapted to attach the extension to a handle gripped by a user;

a collar attached to the other end of the extension and including means for attaching a cleaning appliance to the collar;

means for attaching the collar to the other end of the extension in a desired orientation; and,

at least one end of the extension being formed an angle so when the extension is connected to the handle, the user can readily position the cleaning appliance on a surface to be cleaned and readily move the appliance over the surface to clean it.

2. The extension of claim 1 in which the extension has angled sections formed at each end to allow the user readily position the cleaning appliance on a surface to be cleaned and readily move the appliance over the surface to clean it.

3. The extension of claim 2 wherein the angle of the section formed at one end of the extension is a different angle than the angle of the section formed at the other end of the extension.

4. The extension of claim 2 wherein the angles of the sections formed at the ends of the extension are equal.

5. The extension of claim 1 wherein the extension is bow shaped and curved substantially along its entire length.

6. The extension of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching a cleaning appliance to the collar includes a threaded shank extending from a portion of the collar attached to the other end of the extension.

7. The extension of claim 6 wherein the collar comprises an annular ring sized to fit over the other end of the extension for the collar to be rotatable about the other end of the extension.

8. The extension of claim 7 wherein collar has a annular race formed on an inner wall of the ring, and a series of annularly spaced opening formed in the race.

9. The extension of claim 8 wherein the means for attaching the collar to the other end of the extension in a desired orientation includes a retractable pin mounted adjacent the other end of the extension and protruding through a wall of the extension, the outer end of the pin being received in the race.

10. The extension of claim 9 wherein the pin is sized to fit through the openings in the collar to lock the collar in a desired position, the pin being retractable by the user so the collar can be rotated from one position to another.

11. The extension of claim 10 further including clips fitting over the extension for attaching a hose to the extension.

12. The extension of claim 1 which is formed in telescoping sections to further increase the reach of the extension.

13. The extension of claim 1 which is hollow with one end of the extension adapted for connection to a hose to flow water through the extension.