Squeegee Patents (Class 15/245)
  • Publication number: 20010039689
    Abstract: A device, system and method is disclosed for removing residues from surfaces and for applying materials to surfaces. The device system and method of the instant invention utilize a squeegee configuration with a first continuous squeegee edge. Preferably, the first continues squeegee edge protrudes from a squeegee support element with squeegee walls that extend in all directions of a wiping plane. Within the boundary formed by the first continuous squeegee edge there are preferably additional cleaning elements such as bristles, sponges and/or additional squeegees. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second squeegee edge protrudes from the inner squeegee region of the first continuous squeegee edge to form a squeegee compartment. Cleaning solutions and other materials are applied to surfaces by placing the solutions or materials into the squeegee compartment and wiping the surface with the squeegee edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: James Albert Gavney
  • Publication number: 20010039690
    Abstract: A silicone rubber windshield wiper blade 10 having a coefficient of friction of 0.2 formed by embedding a tetrafluoroethylene polymer 43 such as Teflon plastic into a surface region of the blade 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: NED J. REO
  • Patent number: 6311364
    Abstract: A silicone rubber windshield wiper blade 10 having a coefficient of friction of 0.2 formed by embedding a tetrafluoroethylene polymer 43 such as Teflon plastic into a surface region of the blade 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Specialty Silicone Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ned J. Reo
  • Publication number: 20010025393
    Abstract: A decorating and cleaning product which uses a unique latch attachment designed to efficiently hang decorative holiday items such as strings of Xmas Lights in high trees and other places with the use of an 11′ foot 3 locking telescopic pole and the screw on latch. This allows for the elimination of a ladder which can be a safety hazord, plus it expands holiday decorating through the use of the pole and latch attachment. Working in sync with the decorative end of the latch, is the open end gutter cleaning brush which depresses into the gutter while pulling the attached rope which at the same time opens the opposite decorative end to pick up small limbs, twigs and other items to discard. The secondary cleaning attachment is designed to screw into the same 11′ foot 3 section telescopic pole, which allows for the cleaning of high windows, walls and ceilings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: John Richard Nicolette
  • Patent number: 6276013
    Abstract: A multi-purpose beverage can top cleaner and tab lifter device comprises a circular sponge insert for cleaning the can top rim and an inclined semicircular wedge for raising a lift-tab to open the drinking port simultaneously in one circular motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Randall Mace Hansen, Tammy Sue Riggins
  • Patent number: 6243911
    Abstract: A water-wiping blade for wiping water from surfaces having projecting regions from the surface is based on a flexible panel having an upper and a lower long edge, with a handle interface along the upper long edge, and a lip formed along the lower long edge, the lip ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel. In a preferred embodiment a handle is attached by the handle interface along the upper long edge. By rotating the flexible panel around the handle length and urging the panel into a surface, the lip can be caused to wrap around regions projecting from the surface with the sharp line of the lip in contact with the surface. Translating the panel then is effective in wiping standing water from the surface even in the presence of such surface deformities, such as rivet heads and the like. In some embodiments handle extensions may be used to allow positioning the flexible panel in hard-to-reach places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Goldtime Products, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Dean Varner
  • Patent number: 6237487
    Abstract: An elongate, rigid blade holder has in its outer surface an elongate slot which is rectangular in cross section. An elongate, flexible squeegee blade has a first portion thereof extending downwardly into said slot and snugly between the sidewalls thereof. The remaining portion of the blade projects upwardly out of the slot and beyond the outer surface of the holder and has formed thereon at least one longitudinally extending printing edge. Each sidewall of the slot has formed in its upper edge a longitudinally extending recess opening on the outer surface of the holder and on opposite sides of the blade. Each of said recesses has an elongate, flexible blade locking rod removably press fit therein and frictionally engaged with the confronting side of the blade thereby removably securing the blade in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: James R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6230358
    Abstract: A wiper blade rubber for a windshield wiper has a holding portion held by a plurality of supporting members, a wiping portion for wiping the surface of a windshield and a connecting portion connecting the holding portion and the wiping portion. The connecting portion is narrowed in a middle part thereof providing a neck portion, and has an inside hollow. The hollow extends vertically in the neck portion and horizontally above the neck portion, with respect to the windshield, thereby having a T-shaped cross-section in the connecting portion. Preferably, the hollow extends into the wiping portion. Therefore, when the wiper blade rubber turns over the inclining direction of the wiping portion, the wiper blade rubber can suppress changes in the height of the wiper blade rubber by deforming the hollow, while keeping an appropriate inclining angle of the wiping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideshi Sahara
  • Patent number: 6216311
    Abstract: A windshield wiper element for a windshield wiper system of motor vehicles and affixable to a wiper arm, the windshield wiper element having a head for holding the windshield wiper element, a lip adapted to be in pressing contact with a surface to be wiped, an elastic intermediate element through which the lip is connected to the head, the elastic intermediate element, depending on a wiping direction of the windshield wiper element is actable upon by a force acting only on the intermediate element, so that a deflection of the lip in an opposite direction from a wiping direction takes place, the intermediate element at least partly has a material having pietzo-electric properties, so that the force is effected by applying a voltage to the intermediate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Van Damme, Hubert Verelst
  • Patent number: 6211788
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping to assure the washing of a person's hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which may be removed by washing. A marking mechanism is coupled with or contains the easily identifiable substance. A hand of the person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. In one embodiment, a flush mechanism of a toilet or urinal may be equipped with the marking mechanism. The marking mechanism is preferably triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle may be equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when the person uses the door handle. For some applications the marking mechanism may be releasably secured to an activating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Fiona Armstrong Lynn, John M. Lynn
  • Patent number: 6126756
    Abstract: A water-wiping blade for wiping water from surfaces having projecting regions from the surface is based on a flexible panel having an upper and a lower long edge, with a handle interface along the upper long edge, and a lip formed along the lower long edge, the lip ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel. In a preferred embodiment a handle is attached by the handle interface along the upper long edge. By rotating the flexible panel around the handle length and urging the panel into a surface, the lip can be caused to wrap around regions projecting from the surface with the sharp line of the lip in contact with the surface. Translating the panel then is effective in wiping standing water from the surface even in the presence of such surface deformities, such as rivet heads and the like. In some embodiments handle extensions may be used to allow positioning the flexible panel in hard-to-reach places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Goldtime Products LLC
    Inventor: Donald Dean Varner
  • Patent number: 6094777
    Abstract: A suction head for a floor cleaning machine is provided, comprising a housing (7) and at least one package (1) consisting of a squeegee blade (2) and a clip element (3), whereby the size and shape of said clip element (3) and the housing (7) are such that this package can be removably fixed into the housing, and whereby the squeegee blade contains one or more holes (4) of which the size and shape are such that they fit to clipping parts (5) present at the inner surface of clip element (3) so as to removably fix the squeegee blade into the clip element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Diversey Lever
    Inventor: Dieter Windmeisser
  • Patent number: 6092255
    Abstract: A combination windshield scraper, squeegee, and sponge includes a curved edge on the scraper or squeegee blade adapted to fit complexly-curved (double-curved or "bubble") windshields and other surfaces of different radii. Preferably the edge is formed between a first or inner surface which is curved perpendicular to the edge so that the inner surface is concave. The other side of the blade, the outer surface, is preferably also curved but to a smaller radius than the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Frank Y. H. Kim
  • Patent number: 6085381
    Abstract: A liquid remover from circular containers including a frame with a handle at its inboard end and a support at its outboard end and with an elongated connector therebetween. The connector and handle have a common axis. The support is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the connector and handle with a radius of curvature between about 6.0 and 7.0 inches, preferably about 6.5 inches and with a housing and a slot formed in the interior face along the length of the support and facing its center of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Arthur E. Aleshire
  • Patent number: 6077592
    Abstract: A wiper blade comprising a body made of an elastomeric material; and a surface coating layer positioned on a surface of the body and comprising a fluorine-containing resin having hydroxyl groups in the molecules thereof and a hardening agent having reactivity with the hydroxyl groups and optionally a solid lubricant. The surface coating layer is formed only on both side surfaces of the body. Thus, the wiper blade has a high degree of flexibility and restoring property; a high degree of durability; and judders in a slight extent when it slides on a glass surface in contact therewith; a high wiping performance; and maintains its wiping performance for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, Nippon Water Blade Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryou Azuma, Junichi Kurihara, Noboru Umemoto, Fuminori Satoji
  • Patent number: 6047437
    Abstract: A squeegee assembly which includes a laterally elongated cover body, one pair of flexible front and rear blades forwardly/backwardly spacedly arranged in parallel relation on the cover body, and a blower for applying a sucking function to an interval between the pair of blades so that a dirty liquid gathered by the one pair of flexible blades is sucked up from a floor surface for collection, wherein a lower side portion of the front side flexible blade is bent horizontally towards the rear side flexible blade thereby to form a contacting surface, a distal end side thereof is raised such that a small opposing space is formed between the rear side flexible blade and the front side flexible blade and secured to the cover body side, thereby defining a suction chamber, on which the sucking force of the blower is prevailed, at a lower side of the cover body, a plurality of concave or wedge-shaped guide grooves are formed in a bottom surface of the horizontally bent contacting surface, and a dirty liquid sucking cav
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Amano Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6036388
    Abstract: A windshield washing service unit for providing a station for holding the equipment and supplies needed for cleaning windshields and other windows. The windshield washing service unit includes a housing with a spaced apart pair of side walls, spaced apart front and back walls extending between the side walls, and a bottom wall extending between the side walls and connecting the front and back walls together. The front, back, and bottom walls define a receptacle therebetween. An insert is inserted into the receptacle. The insert defines an open topped reservoir designed for holding a liquid therein. An elongate dowel is extended between and rotatably mounted to the side walls above the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Samuel L. Atcher
  • Patent number: 6031461
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping to assure the washing of hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which can be removed by washing, and a marking mechanism is coupled to the easily identifiable substance. A hand of a person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. In one embodiment, a flush mechanism of a toilet or urinal is equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when a person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle is equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when a person uses the door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: John M. Lynn
  • Patent number: 6026530
    Abstract: A mop for use on a surface to be cleaned includes a handle and a mop head attached to one end of the handle. A pair of parallel, spaced apart, uniquely-shaped rollers are rotatably mounted on the mop head. Each roller has an essentially round first surface and an essentially flat second surface extending tangently from the first surface. A sponge material is interposed and selectively movable between the first surfaces of the pair of rollers and includes a tip for contacting the surface to be cleaned. The first and second surfaces of the rollers are capable of selectively wringing the sponge material, including the tip, of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: William P. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5970560
    Abstract: An implement for drying a surface and for simultaneously recovering a liquid from the surface includes a drying blade of flexible material secured to a hand-held support, the drying blade having a linear leading edge for scraping the surface and for drying the surface by establishing a bead of the liquid behind the leading edge on an inside face of the drying blade, and a substrate having a face fixed to a face of the drying blade adjacent the linear leading edge and which collects the bead of liquid established behind the linear leading edge. This substrate constitutes a drying and liquid recovery head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Willy Leroux
  • Patent number: 5953785
    Abstract: This spout cleaning tool presents a sponge-like foam rubber tip on a flat handle for cleaning a spout. In the preferred embodiment this tip is tapered and provides opposing flat sides, a rounded side, and a hard abrading edge. Additionally, this device is produced by first adhering a tapered foam rubber member around the extremity of a handle. Then, through the application of heat and pressure, a hard edge is formed while sealing the adjoining edges of the foam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Patti Malmborg
  • Patent number: 5946762
    Abstract: A squeegee with ergonomic handle and non-loosening pivotable blade. The squeegee includes a handle for one of attaching to a pole and holding in a hand of a user, a blade portion pivotally mounted to the handle for side to side pivotal movement relative thereto, and pivoting apparatus for pivotally mounting the blade portion to the handle for side to side pivotal movement relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Anthony M. Dionisio
  • Patent number: 5930863
    Abstract: A squeegee including co-extensive stationary and moveable jaws joined medially by a fulcrum pin about which such moveable jaw is rocked by means of a lever arm handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Soren Samuelsson
  • Patent number: 5920947
    Abstract: A water-wiping blade for wiping water from curved surfaces is based on a flexible panel having a height at least ten percent of the length. The flexible panel comprises an upper and a lower long edge, with a handle attached to the upper long edge, and a lip formed along the lower long edge, the lip ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel. In a preferred embodiment a handle is attached along the upper long edge. By rotating the flexible panel around the handle length and urging the panel into a curved surface, the panel can be caused to wrap around a substantial length along the curved surface with the sharp line of the lip in contact with the curved surface. Translating the panel then is effective in wiping standing water from the curved surface. In some embodiments handle extensions may be used to allow positioning the flexible panel in hard-to-reach places. Also in some embodiments a lip is provided to both sides of the flexible panel so either side may be used for wiping water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Goldtime Products, LLC.
    Inventor: Donald Dean Varner
  • Patent number: 5903947
    Abstract: A restaurant and residential tool for cleaning debris from kitchen sinks and table tops by scraping and straining. The tool includes a rectangular or square shape with more than a thousand holes. On one side is formed a handle, perpendicular to the handle are two perforated sides raised half an inch. Opposite the handle is attached a flat piece of rubber. The rubber is sandwiched between two securing strips of metal fastened with nuts and bolts. Possible materials used include non rusting stainless steel, aluminum, durable rubber and plastic. The rubber material is non marking, durable and chemical and heat resistant. The multitude of holes allow water to drain quickly during use. The rigid nature of this tool provides stability during lifting of sink refuse. The tool is used for the following: safely remove and clean refuse and broken glass from various sized sinks, squeegee work table tops, clean grease traps and ice from salad bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick Colin Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5862562
    Abstract: A squeegee, liquid applicator or similar device having a handle pivotally attached to a head whereby the head, containing a squeegee blade and/or wiping component, is pivotal relative to the handle in a plane inclined toward the top of the handle when the device is in use whereby motion of the head is readily controllable by rotation or twisting of the handle as the handle follows an "S" shaped path of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jacob Wilhelmus Erken
  • Patent number: 5809605
    Abstract: A squeegee assembly includes i) a handle having a male blade-mounting portion; and ii) a dual-extruded squeegee blade having a resilient squeegee portion and a channel. The channel is constructed of a generally semi-rigid material and is sized and shaped to be slidably mounted to the male blade-mounting portion of the handle. The handle is constructed of a molded thermoplastic or a stamped metal and includes a gripping area. The dual-extruded squeegee blade is constructed of compatible vinyls, elastomers, or other thermoplastics. The squeegee portion is chevroned, with the chevron defining a pair of cleaning members, so that the squeegee blade is reversible. In an alternative embodiment, the squeegee blade includes a sponge extruded therewith. In a further alternative embodiment, the squeegee blade includes a second channel extruded therewith and an extruded sponge adapted to be slidably insertable into the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Allway Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Gringer
  • Patent number: 5809608
    Abstract: The adjustable squeegee is a two blade squeegee with a handle. The two blades are mounted in a slot in the handle which allows the two blades to slide longitudinally relative to each other. This allows extending the overall length of the blade tip used to squeegee a surface. The blades may also be removed and mounted in a reverse position to provide space between the two blade tips. Tabs may be used to slide the blades in the handle. In an optional configuration the squeegee handle may have a vertical handle element with slots in the handle for storage and an ice scraper or a hook with an accompanying slot in the handle for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
  • Patent number: 5802661
    Abstract: A wiper blade assembly (10) is provided including a housing (12), two blades (14), (16), two blade support structures (18), (20), and a switching mechanism (22). The housing (12) includes a shell (26) having two longitudinal channels (28), (28'). The housing (12) further includes a lower opening (36) and a bottom plate (38) sized to cover the lower opening. The bottom plate (38) is releasably connected to the shell (26) and includes two slots (40). An inner seal (46) attaches to an interior surface of the bottom plate and includes slots (48) that align with the bottom plate slots (40). The blades (14), (16) and blade support structures (18), (20) are positioned within the housing channels and are aligned with the bottom plate slots. Each support structure includes a middle portion having a transverse central hole (54). The switching mechanism (22) includes a shaft (62) and first and second cams (70), (72) attached to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Choice, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Miller, Walter L. Webb
  • Patent number: 5782592
    Abstract: A table-mounted cleaning tool for cleaning spindle sockets includes a cleaning head which is shaped to conform to the configuration of the inner wall surface of the socket including wiper blades at spaced intervals around the external surface of the cleaning head, and the head is resiliently mounted on a base which is movable on a table into and out of alignment with the spindle socket so that the spindle socket can be advanced and rotated into and out of engagement with the cleaning head, and the resilient mounting of the head permits it to be self-centering when at rest and when inserted into the socket and to uniformly engage the wall of the socket for most efficient cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: John W. Row, James L. Row
  • Patent number: 5723185
    Abstract: The method of applying adhesive to a substrate is performed by an installer donning a pair of shoes having pins extending from the undersurface thereof and using a notched spreading edge squeegee having an elongate handle to push adhesive from the configuration of a puddle to a configuration of parallel spaced apart lines of adhesive, the installer being capable of walking forwardly being the squeegee and further being capable of walking across the lines of adhesive without adversely affecting desired quality of adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventors: Michael Beier, Michael Ulane
  • Patent number: 5709005
    Abstract: An implement handle, such as a handle for a squeegee, used for cleaning vehicle windshields, wherein a portion of the handle has a polygonal cross-section providing a plurality of flat faces forming a display area upon which advertising indicia is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventors: Philip L. Brach, Jr., Charles Khalil, Robert W. Mead
  • Patent number: 5706549
    Abstract: A rotary disc floor apparatus (A) is disclosed for cleaning surfaces of floors or the like. The apparatus (A) includes a rotary block (30) having bristles (40) for scrubbing a floor surface with cleaning solution. The apparatus (A) further includes a wiper and vacuum nozzle assembly (20) having a ring (88) with squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) forming vacuum nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) include respective wiping portions (148, 166) having portions disposed outwardly of and located at a greater distance from the axis (B) than the nozzle openings (163). The squeegees (128) and nozzles (154) are readily removable and readily attachable to the ring (88) via shafts (140, 142, 158, 160). The apparatus (A) further includes flat springs (186) for biasing the ring (88) downward toward the floor surface and relative to the rotary block (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Advance Machine Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Legatt, David Wood
  • Patent number: 5666685
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held unit (200) for cleaning smooth surfaces and for squeegeeing liquid. The hand-held unit is made up of a cleaning unit (230) with a handle (234) and a wiper plate (238) as well as of a squeegeeing unit (232) with a rear stop (252) of the squeegeeing unit (232). A handle (236) of the squeegeeing unit (232) can be pushed telescopically into a tubular handle (234) of the cleaning unit (230) until a stop edge (252) of the squeegeeing unit strikes against a front stop edge (242) of the wiper plate (238). The two units (230, 232) can be held, by at least one latching and/or frictionally locking connection, in the position in which they are pushed one inside the other to provide the hand-held unit (200), and can be released from one another by hand. Consequently, for the connection of the two units (230, 232), there is no need for any additional shaping or parts which obstruct the combined or separate handling of the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Vileda GmbH
    Inventors: Tassilo von Grolman, Bernhard Heise, Uwe Dingert
  • Patent number: 5660632
    Abstract: An apparatus for spreading and depositing a viscous liquid or paste-like material on a substrate includes a housing removably insertable into a diamond- or square-shaped squeegee blade holder, the blade holder itself mounted to a squeegee head assembly of a screen or stencil printer. The squeegee head assembly is driven in a linear direction over and above the substrate, dragging the blade over the substrate and forcing deposition of the material onto the substrate. The housing includes a pair of oppositely-disposed locking clamps that attach to both ends of the housing. A shaft having a blade secured thereto is disposed through the channels of the clamps and within a groove of the housing, and the shaft is rotatable within the housing and the locking clamps so that the angle of attack between the blade and substrate can be selectively adjusted and, once the appropriate angle of application is selected, the blade is fixed in position by tightening the clamps against the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: JNJ Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Volpe, Jr., John Joseph Volpe, III, Gail Kathryn Howe, Robert Jeffrey Enterkin
  • Patent number: 5655248
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cleaning surfaces such as glass. A roller wringer mop having a sponge head uses cleaning fluid to clean a surface. To wring the cleaning fluid from the sponge head, an operator displaces the sponge head between two parallel roller segments. A wiper connected to the mop head wipes residual cleaning fluid from the surface that has been cleaned, and is connected to the mop head so as to avoid interfering with the wringing action of the sponge head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: New Knight Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory I. Kieson, Anthony Lalli
  • Patent number: 5630246
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara, Timothy A. Strickland
  • Patent number: 5628086
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Robert J. O'Hara
  • Patent number: 5611108
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning floors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes four wheels, two of which are steerable wheels, and a steering mechanism that permits the two steerable wheels to turn to a degree that allows very tight turns to be made by the sweeper. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper with a cylindrical side broom. Yet a further embodiment of the sweeper includes flaps or seals that form a skirt about the broom and a mounting mechanism for slidably receiving the flap or seal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that employs flaps with wear indicators that tell an operator when to adjust or replace the flap. In another embodiment, the apparatus is a sweeper that utilizes a pre-filter to remove debris that remains in the vacuum airstream after having passed through the hopper and that is of a size that can require frequent cleaning of a subsequent filtering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Windsor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Knowlton, Timothy A. Strickland, Robert J. O'Hara
  • Patent number: 5580608
    Abstract: Tool for imparting a knocked-down pattern to a wet, textured topping compound applied to a surface, and method of using the same. The tool is formed as including a generally planar, elongate base member having a widthwise extent extending between a first and a second edge, and a lengthwise extent extending along a longitudinal axis from a first to a second end. A flexible blade is provided to extend lengthwise with the longitudinal axis of the base member intermediate the first and second end thereof. The blade has a widthwise extent extending between a proximal edge supported by the base member and a distal edge disposed outwardly from the first edge of the base member which defines with the distal edge of the blade an upper working surface for contact with the topping compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: John S. Capoccia
  • Patent number: 5568670
    Abstract: An improved windshield wiper blade insert for mounting on a wiper blade carrier arm comprises a base portion, a shank portion and a wiping portion. The shank portion comprises an elastic response enhancing material. The material is preferably a metal that exhibits substantially total elastic recovery under the flexural stress and service conditions encountered by the wiper blade insert. In one embodiment, the shank portion contains a ribbon of spring metal with a thickness in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.004 inches. In a second embodiment, the elastic response member is an essentially rectangular solid formed from spring metal wire with a diameter in the range of about 0.001 to about 0.006 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventors: Timothy W. Samples, C. Robert Samples
  • Patent number: 5539949
    Abstract: A squeegee-type cleaning implement has a wiping assembly including a plurality of spaced implements for wiping moisture from the surface to be cleaned, and a handle pivotally connected to the wiping assembly by a hinge. The hinged attachment of the wiping assembly to the handle allows the squeegee to clean the surface (e.g., a window pane) either from top to bottom or from side to side using continuous strokes. The wiping assembly is constructed so that a first one of the implements (which are, e.g., straight blades) precedes a second one of the implements when the implements are wiped over the surface. The first, leading blade is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the surface to maintain the second, trailing blade in contact with the surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees over the range of travel of the trailing blade across the surface. The blades are spaced by approximately the blade height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: John L. Stanton
  • Patent number: 5528793
    Abstract: A multipurpose squeegee intended for use in removing snow, slush, water and other liquids from automobile surfaces and various other surfaces. The squeegee comprises a downwardly open U-shaped base within which are secured two layers of polyethylene foam or similar material. The foam extends slightly beyond the ends of the base to prevent damage to adjacent surfaces. A handle is attached to the base. A generally Y-shaped deflector with the upper arms thereof formed as curved wings is attached to the upper surface of the base to deflect excess material in the direction that the squeegee is being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Michel Schbot
  • Patent number: 5519911
    Abstract: A headlight cleaner for a vehicle including a brush head; a brush handle having a tip end coupled to the brush head, a base end, and a bend therebetween to thereby define a straight short segment and a straight long segment; a straight squeegee handle having a tip end and a base end coupled to the base end of the brush handle; and an elongated squeegee coupled to the tip end of the squeegee handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Richard J. Callander
  • Patent number: 5517717
    Abstract: There is provided a suction head for a floor cleaning machine, comprising a housing (7) and a package (1) consisting of a squeegee (2) and at least one clip element (3), whereby the size and shape of said clip element and the housing are such that this package can be removably fixed into the housing and that the squeegee (2) can be removably fixed into the clip element (3). When applying this suction head, optimal use can be made of said squeegee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Lever Industrial Company
    Inventor: Peter Haberli
  • Patent number: 5515570
    Abstract: A tool for wiping windows by means of a ceramic rectangular permanent magnet, or magnets, which has wiper blades attached. This unit is called the slave unit. On the opposite side of the window surface is a ceramic rectangular permanent magnet or magnets, which is called the master unit. When the two units are placed opposite each other across the window surface the magnetic attraction pulls the slave unit wiper blades against the window surface. When the master unit is moved across the window surface, the slave unit follows in unison on the other side and the wiper blades flip-flop wiping the window clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Muscroft
  • Patent number: 5507052
    Abstract: A cleaning opener for cleaning a rim of a beverage container and facilitating manual opening thereof. The inventive device includes a handle having a squeegee assembly at a first end thereof for engaging and cleaning a rim of the container to remove debris therefrom. An opening assembly extends from a second end of the handle for facilitating manual opening of a beverage can or bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Nickie Smith, Daniel Persico
  • Patent number: 5497569
    Abstract: A groomer attachment for forklift vehicles includes an elongated rigid member having a top and a bottom. A pair of spaced-apart fork receiving pockets are connected to the rigid member. A flexible blade extends from the bottom of the rigid member. Preferably the rigid member has a front and a rear. The attachment then has a pair of spaced-apart flexible blades extending from the bottom of the rigid member, a first blade being adjacent the front thereof and a second blade being adjacent the rear thereof. The rigid member may be channel-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Lorne Byman
  • Patent number: 5491869
    Abstract: A utensil having a blade and handle portion that resists damage from the heat generated in cooking. The blade portion made of a rubber silicone compound which resists melting, burning, cracking, discoloring, or permanently bending, even under vigorous cooking situations. The handle is made of a heat-resistant glass reinforced PBT resin which is not susceptible to melting, scorching, absorbing odors, or discoloring. In addition, the molding process between the handle and the blade resists separation of the two parts and eliminates gaps which could house bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventors: Frank J. Sullivan, Jean Mohrhauser
  • Patent number: 5487203
    Abstract: An implement handle, such as a handle for a squeegee, used for cleaning vehicle windshields, wherein a portion of the handle has a polygonal cross-section providing a plurality of flat faces forming a display area upon which advertising indicia is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Philip L. Brach, Jr., Charles Khalil, Robert W. Mead