US1984370A - Window cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 18, 1934. I. GOLDSMITH 1,984,370

WINDOW CLEANTNG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1930 INVENTOR I. Goldsmith HIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS Israel Goldsmith, New York, N. Y.

Application February 11, 1930, Serial No. 427,452

17 Claims. '(Cl. 15-126) This invention relates to window cleaning apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus which will make possible the washing of the surfaces of windows which are disposed facing outwardly from a building, by a person, situated wholly within the confines of the building, such person being subjected to no danger of falling or the like, and the apparatus being simply, efficiently, and instantly adjustable either to wash or. to wipe the window, at the option of the user, without removal, or addition of any parts to the apparatus.

It has been customary to dispose ones self in some manner onthe outside face of a structure when it was desired to wash the outside surfaces of the panes of windows, facing outwardly from the walls of a structure. That is, either by sitting on the window sill, with the major portion of the body disposed on the outside of the building, or by standing on the window ledge, the body being entirely without the building, and held to the building bydevices such as a flexible strap, the

washer would p-ly his implements for cleaning these surfaces. The dangers inherent in either of these situations are commonly known.

Apparatus has been devised, inthe past, for washing and wiping windows to avoid the necessity of so endangering the person. However, the mechanisms involved were cumbersome, expensive to manufacture, and apparently, from their construction, might require that the person positioning them for use place himself without the building. Their cumbersomeness made undesirable and impractical shifting the apparatus from window to window, as is necessary in the ordinary course of washing windows of a structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide, for the purpose of washing and wiping windows in the manner set forth, apparatus which may'easily be transferred fromplace to place and which shall be inexpensive to manufacture and capable of operation by any inexperienced person.

For this purpose, a plurality of rods are pivotally or swivelly connected together; at the end of one of them, either a single unit having washing and'wiping elements thereon, or two individual washing and wiping elements are assse-mbled. Preferably but two rods, in addition to the one upon which the elements are supported, are

utilized, the ends of these rods beingretained in the two hands of the user who positions himself at the window opening and extends the. rods through the opening so that the effective portions of the washing and wiping: elements are directed inwardly against an outwardly facing surface of a window pane, disposed above the level of the users arms. The handle rods are connected to the rod carrying the cleaning elements so that, by

retaining one substantially stationary and recipro- 5 eating the other, a reciprocating motion may be imparted tothe elements, moving the latter over the surface of a window relative to which. they may have been positioned. The rod which normally is held stationary during reciprocation of 10' the elements is secured to the carrier rod in such position that, by movement thereof, either while the rod used for reciprocating the elements is in motion or is retained stationary, the elements or the unit maybe quickly positioned to make effective either the washing or the wiping element for their respective functions.

Ordinarily, two window sashes are assembled at each window opening in such manner that vertical sl-iding movement ofthe sashes over each other, either into closed or open-position, is permitted. The thicknessaof the sash, as well as the border width of the material of the sash within which the glass panes arev mounted are factors which normally would interfere with the efficient operation ofapparatus of the type herein above set forth, when it becomes necessary to wash window panes ineither of the sashes. It is an object of this invention so to dispose the washing and the wiping elements that window panes in either sash may be cleaned, at the election of the operator, without interference of parts of the sashes with the operation.

In order to effectuate this portion of the invention, the elements are spaced angularly, horizon-tally and vertically in orderto assure freedom of movement past the framework of the sashes so as not to obstruct the operation of the elements when either one element is inposition to engage a window pane of a sash.

Other objects of this invention will. in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The inventionis not restricted to the constructions and arrangements of parts herein shown and described nor to the various details thereof, as the same may be modified in various particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, some practical embodiments of which have been herein illustrated and described without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are shownsome of the various possible illustrative embodiments of: this invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, illustrating the application of an embodiment of the invention to washing a window,portions of the apparatus being broken away in section to illustrate the interior construction thereof.

Fig. 2is a similar elevational view, with the windows positioned in another relative position, and the device, shown in Fig. 1, now positioned for wiping the window.

Fig. 3, is an elevational view of a modified con-'- struction of the washing'and wiping element.

The embodiment of the invention shown on the drawing is seen to consist of a washing element" glepiece of 'metaLfcut- 'into a desired pattern and bent to assume, a desired shape. 1 Then, either by welding, solderinapr a like operation, abutted edges are united to make a water-tight container. One apex of the triangle-may -heleft open, as at 22, and either by bending an end portion of 35 oneflof the side walls, or by positioning a separate piece of metal across this opening, the edges of such metallic portion or piece are brought into abutment with and then scldered, welded or otherwiserjoined to the extendingj edges of the side and endwalls ofithe container to provide a closure 26 forthe container. Closure 26 is preferably perforated, as at .28, to permit the dis charge from the container of liquidtherein.

In the constructioriishown on the drawin'gQthe side walls extendfbeyond;closurej 26, as at, 30.

Such extensions may also be providedby separate plates, bolted, soldered, welded orjotherwise se.

cured to the'side walls of the container so that; they extend beyond the closure 26 and form 50 a a retainer for abrushing device 36. A mop of wicking or other material, formed to he slipped between the extensions 30 and theclosure 26, may constitute such brushing device, which may have a longitudinal portion thereof compressed and reducedr as at 3' 7, to facilitatethe; assembly of the device 36with extensions 30. r The end walls of the container do notfextendvbeyond closure 26,

to'permit thereduced portion of the brushing de vice to be easily slid into the slot between the extensions. The brushing, device is, of material which readily absorbs moisture as it is fed through the perforatedclosure; such moisture passes to the .outside portions of the mop or wicking,

where it may be made continuously efiective to wash a window paneor the like against which the device is brought to bear-.- in the bottom face 38 of, the container is formed a filling opening 40,3 from which mayextendthe filling neck 42, sealed 1 by a removable ,SCIBWLCIOSUIGJ In one; modification, that shown in 2; a :tubular arm is secured to the container centrally of the bottom face, in any well-known manner; andisflitself receivedover the end of rigid element 14, to which it m ay be secured against relative movement in any desired manner,

as by driving a pin through the arm and the element.

Extending upwardly and angularly away from element 14 at a distance, predetermined in a manner hereinafter set forth, below the washing element 10, is an arm 44. The wiping element 12 is secured at the end of the arm and is so positioned that it will extend substantially parallel to the washing element on element 14. Arm 44 is preferably integrally formed with elementul4, or otherwise secured thereto to provide arigid portion for the reception of the sleeve 46 of the wiping element. The end of arm 44 is housed within the sleeve, and is pinned thereto in any suitable manner, to prevent any relative movement of these parts.

At the end of sleeve 46 is formed or secured a clamp 48, within which may be retained a rubber strip or squeegee 50, for purposes hereinafter appearing. Clamp 48 is formed in any well-known manner, the construction shown being'illustrative, and not limiting. A base plate 52 may be securely mounted or formed at the end of the sleeve. A plurality of apertures are formed in strip plate52and a pair of loose strips 54,

which are aligned when the strips and the plate are assembled. Screws 56, extended through the alignedapertures, are engagedby thumb nuts to of the elements will be such that the end edges thereof will traverse a surface of practically no curvature, that is, the movement of the effective surface ofjtl 'e element will be substantially within a vertical plane. However, if the relative conditions of ther two handles be now changed, it is desirable that the washing andwiping elements may be quickly moved-from and into effective po-v sition. For this purpose, sharp arcuate motion with a minimumvertical movement is desired.

both from the connection of handle 16 to element 14 and the washing and wiping elements. Handle 16, held rigidly in one hand, provides a pivot around which the elements may be rockedto bring their effective portions selectively in position as the handle 18 is moved to rock element 14. Hand1e18,"held rigidly, positions the'selected element relatively to a window pane to be washed so that vertical motion of handle 16 may effect movementof the selected effective element substantially parallel to the window pane.

Handle 16 is secured to element 14 in any suitable manner; preferably, the unionof handle 16 To attainthese results, handle 16 is secured to element 14 intermediately thereof and as close to may be'coupled thereto and to an end of, handle 16. A metallic sleeve 68, slipped over and held to the end of the handle, may provide the portion of handle 16 to which the connection is coupled.

A swivelling connection is thus provided, permit ting side play, as well as vertical movement of handle 16, in the manipulation of the washing and wiping elements.

Handle 18 is preferably secured to element 14 atthe end of thelatter removed from the washing and wiping elements. In order that the handle may be folded up against the element 14, when desired, and also to permita great range of movement, the pivotal connection between handle '18 and element '14 is composed of two flat L-shaped members 7 0, secured in the slottedends of the element and the handle, in any suitable manner. The extending ends of theopposed feet '72 of these members are pinned, as at Wi -for pivotal movement relative to each other. A distinct spacing of the handle away from element 14 results so that the handle iscapable of movement through a range of approximately 180. When the handle is "to be positioned against the element 14, sufficient side play is afforded at the pivot connection described so that the outer end of the handle may be slid along and past clamp 48.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, arm 44 is eliminated, and container 20 and clamp 4.8 are made into an integral member. This construction is shown in Fig. 3, in which container 76 is constructed similarly to container 20, and is mounted upon the end of rigid element 14 in substantially the same manner. Secured to the bottom face 78 of the container is an outwardly and downwardly extending plate 80, stayed by another plate 82, extending from sleeve 83. The outer end of the plate is formed with an angularly upward bent face 84, corresponding in position and direction of tilt to that of the plate 52 of- Figs. 1 and 2. With face 8 1 may be assembled aloose strip, similar to strip 54, for retaining a rubber strip in place, in the same manner as in the other construction. In this manner, the washing and wiping elements are assembled in a practically unitary construction having the required strength and adjustability.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are illustrated two positions of using the washing and wiping elements for their specific purposes. In Fig. l, the washing clement has been brought inte position relative to the window pane 86 of a window sash 88. In

double sash window constructions, another window sash 90 is slidably disposed for vertical movement relative to sash 88, as shown. To eliminate interference from the thickness of the window sashes, as well as the width of the frame thereof, as deterrents against the ready accessibility of the washing and wiping elements to all parts of a window, the wiping element is spaced away from the washing'element along the element 14 sufficiently so that the rubber strip will clear the upper edge .of the outer window sash when washing the window of an associated inner sash, as seen from Fig. 1.

In addition, arm id is angularly disposed relatively to element 14 so that the strip may be brought into properly related position with a window pane and also to space the washing element laterally from the wiping element when the latter is operative, as in Fig. 2. When the wiping elementis brought into contact with the window pane of an inner sash after the outer sash has been slid upwardly toclear that window pane,

. the angular and lateral spacing of the wiping elements will permit proper manipulation of the wiping element, the body of container 20 cleaning the frame of the'outer sash and permitting the squeegee to have access to the uppermost portions .of the window pane. 1

As many changes could be made in the above constructions and many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention designed without departing from the scope'and spirit of the invention, as defined in the accompanying claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative merely of op erative embodiments of the invention andnot in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination, a window washing element, a window wiping element, a supporting rod retaining both of said elements, said elements being disposed in spaced angular relation on said rod so that, when either is positioned in effective relation to a window surface to be cleaned, the other will be clear of all portions of said window, and means engaging said rod for positioning said elements to direct their effective portions toward the operator, said means being operable to position either of said elements selectively with relation to a surface to be cleaned, obversely located relatively to the position of the operator, and to make that element individually operative in its cleaning function upon the window surface while simultaneously being operative to move said eleients along said surface.

2. In combination, a window washing element, a window wiping element, a supporting rod retaining both of said elements, said elements being disposed in spaced angular relation on said rod so that, when either is positioned. in effective relation to a'windowsurface to be cleaned, the other will be clear of all portions of said window, and means engaging said rod for positioning said ele ments to direct their effective portions toward the operator, said means being operable to position either of said elements selectively with relation to said surface to make that element individually operative in its cleaning function upon the window surface.

3. In apparatus of the class described, of pivotally connected members, window washing and wiping means mounted on one .of said members, and a manipulator engaging said memher on one side thereof, the effective portions of said means being disposed to extend substantially in the same general direction from said member, and in the same general direction as that of the manipulator with relation to the member, the other of said members and said manipulator pro viding mechanism for positioning said means solcctively to wipe or to wash a surface on the side of awindow located obversely relatively to an operator of said apparatus.

,4. In apparatus of the class described, a pair ofpivotally connected members, means to wash and means to wipea window, said means being mounted on one of said members, and a manipulator engaging said member, the other of said members and said manipulator providing mechanism for positioning said means to extend in the general direction toward the operator holding the manipulator and to arrange the individual means selectively either to wipe or to wash a surface on the side of a window located obversely relatively to an operator of said apparatus.

5. Apparatus for window cleaning and like operations, including a washing element, a wiping element, means for retaining the elements in spaced relation, and handle means extending downwardly from and movable with relation to the retaining means, the handle means being adjustable, without rotation, to arrange either of a pair 1 the elements in relation to a surface to be cleaned,

said elements and handle means being associated to make the elements operative to clean a surfac disposed above the handle means. i

engaging the support, said manipulators being operative simultaneously to position the support to bring either of the elementsinto position to clean a surface and/or to move either of the elements'along the surface. it i 1 '7. A window cleaning. appliance including window washing and window wiping elements, a sup-' port carrying the elements at an endthereof, and a pair of manipulators engaging the support beyond the end carrying the elements and in spaced apart relation to each other, saidmanipulators being operative to position the support to bring either of the elements into position'to clean a surface and/or to move either of theelements along the surface.

. 8. A window cleaning appliance including window washing and window wiping elements, a support carrying the elements at an end thereof, and

a pair of manipulators pivotally engaging the support beyond the end carrying the elements and in spaced apart relation to each other, said manipulators being simultaneously operative to position the support to bring either of the elements into position to clean a surface and/or to move either of the elements along the surface, the manipulators and the elements, when the applianceis in use, extending substantially in the same general direction, i

9. An appliance for cleaning the outside surfaces of windows of a structure by manipulation from within the structure, including window washing and window wiping elements, a support carrying the elements at an end thereof, anda pair of manipulators pivotally engaging the support beyond the end carrying the elements and in spaced apart relation to each other, the relation of the manipulators and support being such that, when all are extendedthrough a window opening, adjustment of the manipulators will position either of the elements to clean an outside surface of a window at the opening, the manipulators being thereafter effective to move either of the elements along the surface.

7 X .10. In combination window cleaning apparatus having elements supported upon a single mounting for facility in effecting the steps of the cleaning operation, including a device forscrubbing the window, the device including a window cleaning liquid feeding means and a window surfacescrubbing element, the liquid feeding means carrying the scrubbing element and being con'- stantly inliquid supplying communication there with, and a device for wiping the window after it has been scrubbed by the scrubbing device, a

single support for the devices, the devices being I but at an angle to eachother, so that, whentheli' effective.wipingportion is in engagement with a surface tojbe gcleaned, the effective washing portion will extend towardthe surface but will not be in engagement therewith, and viceyersa, said members being actuable to position said meansto make either of the effective portionsindividually active .toperform its particular function, and to move said means with relation to the surface of a windowitobe cleaned. p 1 a 12. In. combination window cleaning apparatus capable of functioning both towash and to wipe a window surface to be cleaned, a pluralityof substantially rigid arm, members, said members being interconnected so that the members may have movement with relation to each other; and

window washing and wiping elements carried upon one of the members,said membersincluding a pair of manipulatorarthe window washing and wiping elements, when the'manipulators are grasped, being directedtoward' a surface to be cleaned, movementfof the manipulators then moving the elements to determine which ofthem shall be effective at any one time against that surface, the manipulators then functioning to effect motion of the selected element with relation to that surface. i

13. In combination window cleaning apparatus capable of functioning both to wash andto wipe a window surface to be cleaned, aplurality of substantially rigid arm members, said mem-, bers being interconnected so that the members may havemovement with relation to each other, and window washing andwiping elements carried upon one of the members, said members including a pair of manipulators, the window washing and wiping elements, when the manipulators are grasped in the hands of an operator, being directed toward a surface to be cleaned, the manipulators without change out of their grasped relationship to the hands of the operator, but merely by movement of the hands, determining which,

of the elements shall be effective at any one time against that surface, the manipulators then func tioning to effect motion of. the selected element with relation to that surface;

14. In apparatus for cleaning window surfaces, a plurality of rigid members, a pair of the members being pivotally connected to each other to move pivotally in the same plane, means-for washing windows and means for wiping windows, both of the means being mounted on oneof'the members to extend from the member in the same general direction as that of the member, and a handle engaging the mounting member closely adjacent the point ofmounting of the means. 15. In apparatus for cleaning window surfaces,

a plurality of rigid members, the ends of a pair of the members being pivotally connected to cause the members to move pivotally in the same plane,

means for washing windows and means for wiping windows, both of the means being mounted on the free end of one ofthe'members and extending from the member in the same'general di-" rection as the direction of the member, and a.

handle engaging the mountingmember closely of the members being pivotally connected to cause the members to move pivotally in the same plane, means for washing windows and means for wiping windows, one of the means being mounted on the free end. of one of the members and having its surface-engaging portion extending in the same direction as that member, the other means having its surface-engaging portion disposed to extend in the same general direction but angularly away from the member, and a handle engaging the mounting member closely adjacent the point of mounting of the means.

17. In apparatus for cleaning window surfaces, a plurality of rigid members, the ends of a pair of the members being pivotally connected to cause the members to move pivotally in the same plane, means for washing windows, the means being mounted on the free end of one of the members and having its surface-engaging por tion extending in the same direction as that member, means for wiping windows, the wiping means being mounted on the member to have its surfaceengaging portion disposed to extend in the same general direction but angularly away from the member, and a handle engaging the mounting member closely adjacent the point of mounting of the means.

ISRAEL GOLDSMITH.

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