EXTENSION HOLDER FOR HAND-HELD WATER WIPERS

Abstract

Disclosed is an extension device for use on a hand-held water wiping apparatus. The extension handle allows for ease of attachment to the apparatus by use of a semi-circular configuration that includes cutouts that allow the device to be walked onto the handle of the hand-held water wiping apparatus by accommodation of the handle protuberances. By use of the cutouts, no modification is necessary to the handle of the handheld water wiping apparatus, and the locking protuberances are maintained to prevent accidental disengagement of the extension device during use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of boating accessories and in particular to a device that couples a hand-held water wiping blade to an extension pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The removal of water from a surface can be accomplished by a number of devices of particular interest is the water-wiping blade depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,947 and 6,126,756. These water-wiping blades employ the use of surgical grade silicone rubber capable of removing water through a squeegee type action. The silicone material is durable yet soft enough to prevent the scratching of surfaces. For this reason, the silicone rubber water wiping blades are well recognized in various industries for ease of water removal without surface scratching.

[0003] The boating area is one such industry of great interest for use of the wiper blades. Some boats have a large amount of surface area to be addressed, and the susceptibility of surface scratching is very high due to boat construction materials. Conventional boat surfaces are commonly formed from a fiberglass coating known as gelcoat. Gelcoat is very durable but must be kept clean if it is to maintain a shine. Similar to a painted surface, gelcoat can be scratched if not cleaned properly. Further, boat enclosures are typically constructed from plastic material which is very susceptible to scratching.

[0004] Unlike an automobile, a boat may need to be rinsed after every use. When a boat is used in salt water, the salt needs to be removed if the gelcoat is to maintain a shine. A boat contains large surface areas such as the deck, hull, bridge, windows, swim platform, and so forth that must be dried if water spotting is to prevented and/or safety of the passengers.

[0005] The use of the water wiping devices as described in the '947 and '756 patents allow for a quick wipe down of seats, windows, and other items within reach. However, larger vessels may have multiple levels and the use of an extension pole may become the only way to reach such locations. For instance, a typical 40′ Sportfish vessel may have an overall height in excess of 20 feet, and a hull sidewall height over six feet from the water line to the bottom of the rub rail. The water-wiper provides quick removal of the water, however, hard to reach areas are only possible by use of an extension pole.

[0006] The Marine industry has accepted the extension pole for numerous uses. The pole may be used as a boat hook, or allow for the use of different types of cleaning items to be placed on the end of the pole. For instance, the extension pole may have one of various style brushes for use in washing of a vessel. The extension pole may have the brush removed and used for a boat hook, shammy, fishing gaff, and so forth.

[0007] The most commonly used poles include a spring biased detent button which passes through a hole formed in an outer cylindrical shaft of the pole and/or attachment. When the hole and the button engage, the attachment is mechanically locked into position and can be released by manual pressure on the button.

[0008] Such extension poles may be coupled to a water wiper blade by use of a semi-circular holder that is slid over semi-circular shaped handles. The accidental removal of the holder is known to occur and for this reason the handle is manufactured with raised protuberances to prevent premature disengagement. Unfortunately, installation and removal of the holder has become most difficult leading to breakage as well as consumer discontent.

[0009] Thus what is lacking in the art is a means for attaching an extension pole to a water wiping apparatus wherein the water wiping apparatus can be easily installed and removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The instant invention is an attachment device that will couple a normally hand-held water wiper to an extension pole of the type commonly found in the marine industry. The attachment device is a semi-rigid plastic holder that encompasses a portion of the water wiping attachment handle, yet includes a provision to allow for ease of attachment over handle mounted protuberances. The holder includes a curvature opening that allows the holder to be “walked” over the protuberances that formed into the handle. The protuberances found on the handle of a wiper blade provide a unique benefit in preventing the detachment of an extension holder during use. However, such protuberances have been found to frustrate the removal of a holder. The amount of force required can result in breakage, and typically results in the owner of the device leaving the attachment in place. This inhibits hand-held use, or proper storage. The improvement presented by the instant invention allows the holder to be easily installed and removed.

[0011] Thus an objective of the instant invention is to provide a hand held wiper blade holder that is easily attached to the wiper blade handle.

[0012] Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide a hand held wiper blade holder that is easily removed from the wiper blade handle.

[0013] Yet still another objective of the instant invention is to provide a wiper blade holder that allows for the walking of the holder over the handle protuberances thereby eliminating the need for modification of the wiping device.

[0014] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the extension holder with a wiper blade in phantom;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the extension holder;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a right side view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a back view of the extension holder partially assembled to a wiper blade;

[0019] FIG. 5 is the back view of FIG. 4 fully installed on a wiper blade;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a view of a extension pole with the extension holder and wiper blade attached thereto;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of a detent pin; and

[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the extension holder with a threaded boss.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0024] Now referring to FIG. 1 set forth is the extension holder 10 mounted to a wiper blade device 100. The wiper blade device includes a flexible blade 102 formed from a silicone material mounted to a circular handle 104 having raised protuberances 106 and 108. The extension holder of the instant invention is formed from a single piece of plastic that is substantially C-shaped forming an inner surface 12 and an outer surface 14. The inner surface 12 secures to the circular handle 104 by frictional engagement wherein protuberances 106 and 108 are positioned on either side of the extension holder. The protuberances are commonly used to prevent the holder from sliding off the handle during use, but make installation and removal of a handle most difficult.

[0025] FIG. 2 sets forth the extension holder 10, with inner surface 12 and outer surface 14 delineated by front leading edge 18, and back leading edge 20. The outer surface 14, includes a mounting boss 22 for securement of an extension rod 24 by use of a bolt 26 and wingnut 28. The boss 22 may include alignment teeth 30 which engage reciprocal alignment teeth 32 on the extension rod 24. FIG. 3 depicts the extension holder from a side view depicting a substantially C-shaped device with front leading edge 18 and rear leading edge 20, allowing entrance into the inner area formed by inner surface 12. Said leading edges may be beveled outwardly from said inner surface to allow ease of movement past the protuberances by preventing the leading edges from forming a sharp engagement with the handle and protuberance surface.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, operation of the extension holder 10 is performed by sliding the holder over and end 112 of the wiper blade handle 104. Upon contacting the first protuberance 106, the extension holder 10 is “walked” around the protuberance by use of the frontal cutout 34 formed into the holder which operates in conjunction with cutout 38 and 40—shown in FIG. 2. The extension holder 10 is rocked fore and aft so as to allow the protuberance 106 to carry through the front and rear cutout, to be positioned from first cutout 38, into second cutout 34, so as to pass the last cutout 40, thereby placing the holder 10, as shown in FIG. 5, between the protuberance 106 and 108. The extension holder 10 may then be coupled to an extension pole and used for water removal as originally intended in its hand held configuration. Removal would be the reciprocal to the above by moving the extension holder fore and aft so as to “walk” either protuberance, 106 or 108, through the cutouts to allow removal of the extension handle from the water wiping blade handle 104.

[0027] FIG. 6, depicts the handle 104 of the water wiping blade 100, within the extension holder 10. The extension rod 24 includes a detent pin 42, for use in engagement of a detent hole 44, commonly found on extension poles 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the detent pin 42, typically biased in a position by spring member 48, wherein upon alignment with a detent hole such as that depicted by numeral 44, of extension pole 50, will lock the extension into position and allows for ease of removal by depressing of the detent pin 42, through the detent hole 44, wherein extension rod 24, is separated from extension pole 50. It is noted that the extension pole may include locking detent and the extension holder having an extension rod with only a securement hole.

[0028] FIG. 8 depicts a treaded boss embodiment wherein the extension holder 60 has an outer surface 62 with a boss 64 formed integral thereto. The boss 64 is threaded 66 allowing receipt of a threaded extension pole 68. The boss could be also be a male thread, not shown, and the extension pole having a threaded socket located thereon.

[0029] It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

1. An extension holder for use in combination with a water wiping apparatus, said water wiping apparatus formed from a flexible panel secured to a substantially circular handle having at least one protuberance extending therefrom, said extension holder comprising:

a base member having a single piece wail member defined by an inner surface and an outer surface and delineated by first and second leading edges which are spaced apart to form a substantially C-shaped holder, said inner side surface sized to encompass at least a portion of said handle, said outer side surface having a raised tab available for securement to an extension pole, said sidewall including at least one cutout to permit passage of said handle located protuberance during installation and removal.

2. The extension holder according to claim 1 wherein said base member is constructed from a semi-rigid material.

3. The extension holder according to claim 2 wherein said material is plastic.

4. The extension holder according to claim 1 wherein said outer surface includes an adapter dimensioned and configured to fit in a sliding relationship with an extension pole, said adapter pipe including a means for releasably securing to said extension pole.

6. The extension holder according to claim 5 wherein said means for releasably securing is a resilient detent engagement structure.

7. The extension holder according to claim 5 wherein said means for securing to said extension pole includes a pivot to allow rotation of said holder in relation to said extension pole.

8. The telescoping pole according to claim 1, wherein said first and second leading edges include a bevel to inhibit frictional engagement of each said edge with said handle.

9. The extension holder according to claim 5 wherein said means for releasably securing is threaded boss.