Fluid Dispensing Surface Cleaning Device
A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle having first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user. A spray nozzle is carried by the handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle and includes a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container, the dispensing valve fluidically connected to the spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate the dispensing valve to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container through the spray nozzle. A trigger assembly is carried by the handle and is operatively connected to the actuator to operate the actuator. Alternative embodiments are also disclosed.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/389,357, filed Oct. 4, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to surface cleaning implements, and more particularly, relating to a fluid dispensing surface cleaning implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCleaning windows and glass can be a time consuming and laborious choir. There exists numerous cleaning devices and squeegee blades of a myriad of constructions directed towards reducing the effort and time required to clean windows and glass. However, there remains a need for a window and glass cleaning apparatus of an improved construct which overcomes the drawbacks of the existing cleaning devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe preferred embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing a window and glass cleaning apparatus of an improved construction and including the automated dispensing of a cleaning fluid, several cleaning head configurations, and accessory attachments.
In general, in one aspect, a fluid dispensing surface cleaning device is provided. The device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle having first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user. A spray nozzle is carried by the handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle and includes a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container, the dispensing valve fluidically connected to the spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate the dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within the fluid container through the spray nozzle. A trigger assembly is carried by the handle and is operatively connected to the actuator to operate the actuator.
In general, in another aspect, a the device includes a cleaning head and an extension tube connected to said cleaning head. An elongated handle is configured to be grasped by a user and has a first end through which extends a tubular cavity into which said extension tube is telescopically received and positionable between retracted and extended position. A spray nozzle is carried by said extension tube. A fluid container is housed by said handle and has a dispensing valve that is operable to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container. An extensible fluid conduit fluidically connects said dispensing valve and said spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container through said spray nozzle. A trigger assembly is carried by said handle and is operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
In general, in another aspect, the device includes a cleaning head and an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle has a first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end configured to be connected to an extension handle. A spray nozzle is carried by the handle at a position approximate the first end of the handle. A fluid container is housed by the handle and has a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within the fluid container and is fluidically connected to the spray nozzle. An actuator is operable to operate the dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within the fluid container through the spray nozzle. An extension handle is configured to be connected to the second end of the handle. A trigger assembly includes a first trigger pivotally attached to the handle approximate the second end thereof, a cam pivotally attached to the handle, a lift shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and connected at one end with the trigger and at an opposite end to the cam, a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation, the trigger shaft connected at a first end to the actuator and connected at an intermediate position along the trigger shaft to the cam, the trigger shaft having a barb-shaped second end, a second trigger pivotallay attached the extension handle, a trigger coupling restrained for vertical reciprocation by the extension handle and including a notch at first end thereof configured to receive the barb-shaped end of the trigger shaft, and a pivot link connecting the second trigger and the trigger coupling such that operation of the second trigger causes the trigger coupling to reciprocate.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:
As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that in this document (including the claims) directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., without departing from the principles of the invention.
In this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that the featuring being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
Referring to
A container 24 containing a cleaning solution is removably received and held within handle 14 through a cooperating structure between the handle and the container. Spring element 26 is biased against one end of the container 24 to secure the container within handle 14. Container 24 is shown received and held by the handle 14 in
Trigger 38 is pivotally attached to the handle 14 approximate grip 50. Trigger shaft 40 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the trigger 38 and at the opposite end with cam 44, which is pivotally attached to the handle. Trigger return spring 42 is positioned around trigger shaft 40 and is retained by the handle generally bias the trigger shaft against the trigger 38. Primary shaft 46 is retained by the handle 14 for generally vertical reciprocation and is engaged at one end with the cam 44 on a common side as trigger shaft 40, and is operatively engaged at the opposite end with actuator 34. Primary shaft return spring 48 is positioned around the primary shaft 46 and is retained by the handle to generally bias the primary shaft 46 in a direction of disengagement from the cam 44. In operation, a user pulls the trigger 38 urging the trigger shaft 40 against cam 44 causing the cam to pivot and apply a downwardly force against primary shaft 46 resulting in the primary shaft operating against the actuator 34. Actuator 34 depressing or pushing against dispensing valve 30 resulting in fluid contained under pressure within container 24 to be dispensed through spray nozzle 32.
In
Maintaining reference to
In
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device, comprising:
- a cleaning head;
- an elongated handle having first end connected to said cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user;
- a spray nozzle carried by said handle at a position approximate said first end of said handle;
- a fluid container housed by said handle and having a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container, said dispensing valve fluidically connected to said spray nozzle;
- an actuator operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container through said spray nozzle; and
- a trigger assembly carried by said handle and operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said trigger assembly includes:
- a trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a cam pivotally attached to said handle;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engaged at one end with said trigger and at the opposite end with said cam, said trigger shaft being biased against said trigger;
- a primary shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engable at one end with said cam and engaged at the opposite end with said actuator, said primary shaft being biased in a direction of disengagement with said cam; and
- wherein operation of said trigger urges said trigger shaft against said cam which rotates said cam and urges said primary shaft downwardly operating said actuator.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said trigger assembly includes:
- a trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engaged at one end with said trigger and at the opposite end with said actuator, said trigger shaft being biased in a direction away from said trigger; and
- wherein operation of said trigger urges said trigger shaft downwardly operating said actuator.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said trigger assembly includes:
- a trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engaged at one end with said actuator, said trigger shaft being biased in a direction away from said trigger;
- a cable connected at one end to said trigger and at an opposite end to an end of said trigger shaft opposte of said actuator; and
- wherein operation of said trigger tensions said cable and urges said trigger shaft downwardly operating said actuator.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is configured to removably receive said container and wherein said container is removably received by said handle.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said container is integral with said handle.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning head is pivotally connected to said first end of said handle.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning head includes a cleaning implement and a squeegee blade positioned on opposite sides of said cleaning head.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a spray nozzle selector valve fluidically connected to actuator, said spray nozzle and said second spray nozzle, said spray nozzle selector valve operable to selectively connect either said spray nozzle or said second spray nozzle to said actuator.
- a second spray nozzle; and
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said second spray nozzle is carried by said handle at a position approximate said first end of said handle and opposite of said spray nozzle.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein said second spray nozzle is carried by said cleaning head.
12. A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device, comprising:
- a cleaning head;
- an extension tube connected to said cleaning head;
- an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user, said handle having a first end through which extends a tubular cavity into which said extension tube is telescopically received and positionable between retracted and extended position;
- a spray nozzle carried by said extension tube;
- a fluid container housed by said handle and having a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container;
- an extensible fluid conduit fluidically connecting said dispensing valve and said spray nozzle;
- an actuator operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within said fluid container through said spray nozzle; and
- a trigger assembly carried by said handle and operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said extensible member is a coiled tube.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein said extensible member is a telescopic tube assembly.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein said handle is configured to removably receive said container and wherein said container is removably received by said handle.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein said cleaning head is pivotally connected to said first end of said handle.
17. The device of claim 12, wherein said cleaning head includes a cleaning implement and a squeegee blade positioned on opposite sides of said cleaning head.
18. A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device, comprising:
- a cleaning head;
- an elongated handle configured to be grasped by a user, said handle having a first end connected to said cleaning head and a second end configured to be connected to an extension handle;
- a spray nozzle carried by said handle at a position approximate said first end of said handle;
- a fluid container housed by said handle and having a dispensing valve operable to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container, said dispensing valve fluidically connected to said spray nozzle;
- an actuator operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within said fluid container through said spray nozzle;
- an extension handle configured to be connected to said second end of said handle; and
- a trigger assembly including:
- a first trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a cam pivotally attached to said handle;
- a lift shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and connected at one end with said trigger and at an opposite end to said cam;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation, said trigger shaft connected at a first end to said actuator and connected at an intermediate position along said trigger shaft to said cam, said trigger shaft having a barb-shaped second end;
- a second trigger pivotallay attached said extension handle;
- a trigger coupling restrained for vertical reciprocation by said extension handle and including a notch at first end thereof configured to receive said barb-shaped end of said trigger shaft; and
- a pivot link connecting said second trigger and said trigger coupling such that operation of said second trigger causes said trigger coupling to reciprocate.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein said handle is configured to removably receive said container and wherein said container is removably received by said handle.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein said cleaning head is pivotally connected to said first end of said handle.
21. The device of claim 18, wherein said cleaning head includes a cleaning implement and a squeegee blade positioned on opposite sides of said cleaning head.
22. A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device, comprising:
- a cleaning head;
- an elongated handle having first end connected to said cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user;
- a fluid container housed by said handle and having a spray nozzle integrated with a dispensing valve that is operated to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container;
- an actuator operable to operate said dispensing valve to dispense fluid containted within said fluid container through said spray nozzle; and
- a trigger assembly carried by said handle and operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein said trigger assembly includes:
- a trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a cam pivotally attached to said handle;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engaged at one end with said trigger and at the opposite end with said cam, said trigger shaft being biased against said trigger;
- a primary shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engable at one end with said cam and engaged at the opposite end with said actuator, said primary shaft being biased in a direction of disengagement with said cam; and
- wherein operation of said trigger urges said trigger shaft against said cam which rotates said cam and urges said primary shaft downwardly operating said actuator.
24. The device of claim 22, wherein said cleaning head is pivotally attached to said first end of said handle.
25. The device of claim 22, wherein said handle is configured to removably receive said container and wherein said container is removably received by said handle.
26. The device of claim 22, wherein said container is integral with said handle.
27. A fluid dispensing surface cleaning device, comprising:
- a cleaning head;
- an elongated handle having first end connected to said cleaning head and a second end configured to be grasped by a user;
- a fluid container housed by said handle and having a spray nozzle integrated with a mechanical pump that is operated to dispense fluid contained within said fluid container;
- an actuator operable to operate said fluid pump to dispense fluid containted within said fluid container through said spray nozzle; and
- a trigger assembly carried by said handle and operatively connected to said actuator to operate said actuator.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein said trigger assembly includes:
- a trigger pivotally attached to said handle approximate said second end thereof;
- a cam pivotally attached to said handle;
- a trigger shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engaged at one end with said trigger and at the opposite end with said cam, said trigger shaft being biased against said trigger;
- a primary shaft constrained for vertical reciprocation and engable at one end with said cam and engaged at the opposite end with said actuator, said primary shaft being biased in a direction of disengagement with said cam; and
- wherein operation of said trigger urges said trigger shaft against said cam which rotates said cam and urges said primary shaft downwardly operating said actuator.
29. The device of claim 27, wherein said cleaning head is pivotally attached to said first end of said handle.
30. The device of claim 27, wherein said handle is configured to removably receive said container and wherein said container is removably received by said handle.
31. The device of claim 27, wherein said container is integral with said handle.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2012
Inventor: Lawrence Orubor (Calgary)
Application Number: 13/246,166