US1914755A - Portable window cleaner - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1933. l, M, OLDHAM 1,914,755

PORTABLE WINDOW CLEANER Filed Feb. 8, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gij/QQ. I @5 June zo, 1933. l. M, QLDHAM 1,914,755

PORTABLE WINDOW CLEANER Filed Feb. 8, 1932 ZSheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES INEZ MARIANI OLDHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PORTABLE WINDOVT CLEANER Application filed February 8, 1932.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanical window Washing apparatus, having for an object to provide a machine which is especially advantageous for usage in the emcient washing and polishing of the outer surface areas of window panes without the necessity of a user thereof exposing or subjecting himself to those well-known hazards incident to the manual washing and polishing of the outer surfaces of windows, as by standing or sitting in a window frame with the entire or a goodly portion of the workers body without the frame.

It is likewise an equally important object of the invention to provide a machine of the character mentioned of such construction that window pane surfaces and particularly, the outer surfaces thereof, may be washed or cleansed over their entire areas and thereupon, fully dried and polished to a degree of efficiency corresponding to that attainable through manual or hand window washing and polishing; likewise, a machine which will effect the foregoing operations with but little actual labor and a minimum eX- penditure of energy upon part of the user.

Itis a more specific object of the invention to provide a window washing machine comprehending mechanically operated washing and polishing means capable of universal movement or adjustment during a. washing or polishing operation, whereby the surface area to be washed and polished may be progressively effected in an orderly and practical fashion, the movement or adjustment of said means being under the complete control of a user in order that all points of such surface areas may be reached, thereby, assuring effectual cleaning and polishing of the same; also, whereby the eXtent of pressure under which the washing and polishing means are engaged with or upon the surface area being treated may be regulated to any desired extent at the option of such user.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a window washing or polishing machine so constructed that the same may be operatively set up with respect to pratically any now existing form of window and window frame without alteration Serial No. 591,563.

thereof and without effecting defacing or mutilation of the equipped window or frame with devices whereby to permit of mechanical connection of the machine thereto.

Among other aims and objects of the invention there may be recited the provision of a machine of the character stated in which the construction thereof is of simple and economical, yet highly rugged character, hence permitting the same to satisfactorily withstand rough usage, and which, by reason of its construction, may be manufactured at a cost materially below the costs of producing art.

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

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains, I have in the accompanying drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out one possible embodiment of my invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the improved machine taken on the line 1 1 of Figure 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l, looking in the direction in which the arrows point;

Figure 4L is atop plan view of the support ing frame of the machine showing the disposition of the cables over the pulleys rotatably supported thereon;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction in which the arrows point;

Figure 6 is a detail in elevation of the window pane wiping and polishing device, and,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a slightly modied form of operating means for the window washing and polishing device carrying head, whereby the same may be positively moved in either upward kindred apparatus heretofore known in the 0r downward directions with respect to the machine frame.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, the improved machine comprises two primary elements of construction, one the washing and polishing device supporting frame or carriage, generally designated by the numeral 1, and second, the manually operated pressure applying means, which is generally designated by the numeral 2. The latter element serves as a means for permitting a user of the machine to optionally increase or decrease the degree of pressure with which the window washing and polishing devices, hereinafter more fully described, are engaged with the surface of a window pane being treated.

The element 1 consists of an upright substantially rectangular-ly shaped frame 3, having longitudinal ways formed in the inner faces of the opposite vertical sides thereof T he lower portions of these vertical sides are received in the sockets of metal brackets 5, being each formed with longitudinally disposed slots adapted to receive the Shanks of securing bolts therethrough, which bolts in turn are engaged with the outer sides of said brackets and are provided with locking nuts 6, hence, permitting the connection of the vertical sides of the frame to said metal brackets in a manner to allow for limited pivotal movement of the former with respect to the latter, due to the loose engagement of the securing bolts in said longitudinally disposed slots. The lower ends of each of the brackets 5 are provided with bifurcated bearings 7, rotatably receiving wheels or casters 8 therebetween. The treads of the casters are preferably covered with felt or like material to prevent marring or mutilation of a window sill surface over which the same travel during a washing and polishing operation, and also, to prevent transverse slipping of the casters over such surface. Fixedly supported between the lower ends of the vertical frame'sides and between the brackets 5, is a lateral extension or arm 9, which, as will be noted upon reference to the Figure 1, is laterally extended for a distance beyond one side of the element 1, and has the under surface thereof, covered with a strip of felt or like material 10, to prevent scratching or similar defacement of the woodwork of a window in connection with which the machine is used. In this connection, it will be noted that the fixed positioning of the arm 9 upon the element 1 is effected at a point above the rollers 8 in order that rolling` or shifting movement of the element 1 over a window sill will not be interfered with when such movement is desired. It may be also mentioned at this point, that the length of the arm 9 is such as to permit the same to extend not only completely across the sill of a window, but for a distance beyond the inner side of said sill, the purpose of which will be subsequently apparent.

Mounted upon bearing brackets 11, ixedly secured to an intermediate portion of the upper side of the arm 9 is a rotatable drum 12, the peripheral portion of which is provided with a pair of circumferentially eX- tending grooves 13. The shaft 14, which rotatably supports said drum 12 between the brackets 11, is so formed as to permit of the fixed connection of a crank 15 with one end thereof, said crank having a suitable handle 16 upon its free extremity.

With a view toward providing the machine with means for washing the surface of a window pane, I provide a washing pad or device designated by the numeral 17, saidQ device being formed of material such as will render the same capable of absorbing and retaining a quantity of window washing liquid. rIhe pad 17 is carried upon the outer and flat side of a head piece 18, which, in turn, is formed with a laterally extending web 18b having marginally opening transverse slots formed in the same. A carrying element 18 is provided the frame 3 of the machine, and as will be noted upon reference t0 Y the Figures 1 and 5, the same is formed on one side with a laterally extending web corresponding to the web 18h. This web of the element 18 is provided with fixedly disposed up-standing bolts adapted to be slidably received in the slots of the web-like extension of the element 18", whereupon locking nuts 18 are turned into clamping engagement therewith and thus serve to ixedly, yet removably connect the head piece 18a to the element 18. l

The opposite ends of the carrying element 18 are provided with rollers 19 adapted to have movable engagement in the hereinbefore described ways formed in the inner faces of the vertical opposite sides of the frame 3. It

will, therefore, be seen that the carrying element 18 will be mounted to traverse the entire length of the frame 3, or any desired portion of such length, during a window washing or polishing operation of the machine. That the pad 17 and the carrying element 18 may be moved through their rectilinear paths of travel with respect to the vertical sides of the frame 3, I mount in the upper portion 2O of the frame 3, a plurality of pulleys, designated by the numerals 21, 22 and 23. The pulleys 21 and 23 are mounted upon bearings designated by the numeral 24, while the pulleys 22 are paired and are mounted upon a bearing shaft 25 arranged upon said upper end of the frame 3 intermediately of the first mentioned pulleys. Cables 26 are passed in opposite directions through the upper end of the frame 3 and over the pulleys 22, the opposite ends thereof being iixedly connected to suitable eye-bolts or other devices carried-by the element 18, the remaining portions of said cables being passed through appropriately formed openings in said element 18, as is shown in the F igures 2 and 5 whereby to prevent interference with travel of said element 18 within the frame 3. The lower portions of the cable 26 as will be noted upon reference to the Figure 1, are passed downwardly with respect to the frame 3 about the peripheral surface of a double pulley 27 mounted upon a suitable bracket fixedly connected to the upper side of the arm 9 in proximity to its point of engagement with the frame 3, whereupon said cables are laterally extended in substantially parallel relation to the arm 9 over another double pulley 27a, and from thence, into engagement with the rotatable manually operable drum 12. Thus, it will be understood, that with rotation of the drum 12 in one direction, the carrying element 18 and the pad 17 will be elevated with respect to the opposite vertical sides of the frame 3; conversely, that with rotation of said drum in a counterdirection, that the weight of the pad 17 and the carrying element 18 will be sufficient to cause the same to descend, by gravity, with respect to the frame. In this way, reciprocal motion will be transmitted to the washing pad 17, hence, enabling a user of the machine to cause said pad to vertically traverse the surface area of a window pane being washed. Should it be desired, additional weight may be provided the carrying element 18, whereby to cause quicker descension of the same with respect to the frame 3.

A pawl and ratchet mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 28, may be provided the shaft 14 of the rotatable drum 12, enabling a user of the machine to releasably lock or secure said drum 12 in any given position, and hence, releasably secure the pad 17 in a fixed position with respect to the side members of the frame 3.

A drying orv polishing device is provided the machine,- consisting of a cross bar 29 having a head plate 30 integral therewith, and adapted to receive thereover a length or piece of chamois or rubber sponge, as designated by the numeral 32. The bar 29 is formed with transversely disposed marginal slots (not shown herein) corresponding to the slots formed in the web 18h of the head piece 18. Thus, it will be understood that the drying or polishing device is adapted to replace the washing pad 17 with its head piece 18a, being releasably yet securely connected to the web of the carrying element 18 in the manner hereinbefore described. The bar 29 with the drying or polishing element 32 is adapted to be moved back and forth with respect to the side members of the frame 3 and in this connection, it will be understood that the chamois or sponge element 32 is engaged, under proper pressure, with the adjacent surface of a window pane, hence, effecting drying and polishing thereof.

By reason of the interchangeability of the washing pad 17 and the drying and polishing device 32, it will be understood that means are provided the machine for, first, washing a window, and second, drying and polishing said window.

The manually operable pressure applying element 2 consists of a normally upwardly disposed curved arm 33, the upper end of which is formed with an inwardly disposed extension 34 carrying a transversely and horiZontally positioned U-shaped arm 36, said arm, in turn, carrying between the opposite ends thereof a roller 35, adapted to have bearing engagement with the adjacent marginal portions of the vertical sides of the frame 3. It will be also noted in this connection, that the U-shaped arm 36 has snug spanning engagement with respect to the opposite sides of the frame 3 and therefore, that by this embracing engagement, material relative lateral movement of the arm 33 with respect to the frame 3 will be prevented. rIhe lower and inwardly disposed end of the arm 33 is pivotally mounted upon an adjacent portion of the laterally extending arm 9, as at 37, and to this end of said arm there is ixedly connected an inwardly disposed laterally extending operating lever 38, carrying a handle or rest portion 39 upon its free extremity which is disposed in proximity to the inner end of the arm 9. An expansible coiled spring 40 is interposed between a portion of the operating arm 38 and the arm 9, substantially intermediately thereof, and as will be understood, serves as a means for normally retaining the roller carried upon the upper end of the arm 33, in a disengaged position with respect to the side members of the frame 3, in that said spring will normally impart an upward thrust to the lever 38, thereby causing pivotal movement of the arm 33, to a limited extent in a direction away from said frame 3. If desired, the arm 33 may be suitably braced as through the medium of longitudinally and transversely disposed bracing elements, generally indicated by the numeral 41, hence, lending rigidity thereto.

In operation of the improved machine, the carriage constituted by the frame 3, the brackets 5 and the rollers 8, is set up in position longitudinally of that portion of a window sill, as indicated by the numeral 42, in substantially parallel relation to the opposite sides thereof. In such position, the lower portion of the arm 9 will have resting engagement with a portion of said sill 42 and by consequence, the frame 3 will be held in a sub stantially up right position with respect to the window to be washed. It will be understood, that the positioning of the movable frame 3 upon the window sill will be effected so that said frame will be juxtaposed with respect to the outer side of the window sash, hence, permitting either the washing pad 17 or the drying and polishing device 32 to be efectually engaged with the outer surface of the pane. Assuming that the outer surface of the window pane is tobe washed, the pad 17 is saturated with the necessary amount of cleaning liquid and is connected to the carrying element 18 in the manner hereinbefore described. The sashes of the window may, if desired, be arranged in their substantially normal positions subsequently to placement of the washing and polishing machine to that position as is shown in the Figure 1. The operator now bears downwardly upon the rest 39 of the lever 38, fulcruming the pressure applying arm 33 and causing the roller 35 carried thereby to impart an inward pressure to the frame 3, hence, rocking said frame sufhciently to bring the washing pad 17 into positive engagement with the outer surface of the window pane, and under the desired degree of pressure. At this time, the drum 12 is rotated by the crank 15, causing the cables 26' to be coiled thereabout in a manner to effect the raising of said pad 17 with respect to the frame 3, thus, imparting an upward cleaning stroke to said pad 17 and thereby effectually removing foreign matter from the window surface. At the end of the upward vertical movement of the washing pad 17 which is carried upon the movably mounted carrying element 18 connected with the cables 26, pressure upon the rest 39 of the arm 38 is discontinued, whereupon the coiled spring 40 will impart an upward thrust to said arm 38, and conse-- quently, cause the upper end of the arm 33 to be swung away from the frame 3, thereby removing pressure from said frame and likewise from the cleaning pad 17 in order that the latter will be disengaged from the window pane. At such time, the drum 12 is rotated in a counter-direction, thus, uncoiling the previously coiled portions of the cable 26 therefrom, and allowing the carrying element 18 and the pad 17 to descend with respect to the frame 3, that is, to move to its original starting position. When the pad 17 has reached the limit of its downward movement with respect to the frame 3, pressure is again applied to said frame 3 through the medium of the arm 33 and the lever 38, thus reengaging said pad 17 with the outer surface of a window, whereupon it may be moved through an upward cleaning stroke by rotation of the drum 12 in its first indicated direction. The raising and lowering of the carrying element 18 with the pad 17 is repeated as many times as may be necessary to efectually clean the window surface, the operation j ust described being repeated. In order that the pad 17 may be engaged over the entire surface of the window pane, the carriage of the frame 3 is longitudinally moved with respect to the window sill 42 to a position whereat a new or unclean portion of the Window pane will be brought into alignment or substantial alignment with the washing pad 17. At such time, the reciprocal voperation of the pad 17 and the carrying element 18 is repeated. These operations are continued until the complete surface or area of the window pane has been washed. Following washing of the window pane, it is to be understood that the pad 17 with its head piece 18a is disconnected from the carrying element 18 and is replaced by they drying and polishing element 32 in order that drying and polishing of the washed window may be effected through a series of operations corresponding to those described in connection with the window washing stage.

Obviously, any desired degree of pressure may be applied to a window pane being washed or polished by the improved machine, through the medium of the manual pressure applying element 2, this varying of degree of pressure being readily effected by increasing or decreasing the amount of pressure applied .to the rest portion 39 of the operating lever v38 connected to the pivotally mounted arm 33. As shown in lthe Figure 7, the window washing and drying and polishing devices may be positively moved through their respective cleaning strokes with respect to the frame 3 by using cables 43, in addition to the cables 26. The cables 26 are connected to the upper sides of the movable carrying element 18', while the cables 43 are connected to the lower sidel of said movable carrying element, and are downwardly disposed with respect thereto. These cables 43, of course, may be passed over suitable guide pulleys (not shown) mounted upon appropriate portions of the arm 9 into coilingengagement with the drum 12 in a direction opposite to that in which the cables 26 are coiled about said drum. It will thus be understood that with rotation of the drum in one direction, an upward pull will be imparted to the carrying element 18 by the cables 26 and that with rotation of the said drum 12 in a counter-direction that the cables '26 will be uncoiled or paid out from the drum 12, whereas the cables 43 will be coiled about said drum or taken up thereby, hence, imparting a directly applied downward pull to said carrying element 18 and consequently, causing it to be positively moved through a downward cleaning stroke. In this way, positive reciprocation of the carrying element 18 with respect to the frame 3 may be effected.

In operation of my improved window washing and polishing machine, it will be understood that the operator or user thereof, is at all times, within the room equipped with the window or windows to be washed thereby; consequently, that he is not required to lean from or extend anv portion of his body from the window frame and thereby subject himself to those hazards common to the usually employed methods of window washing.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification, and such modification as is within the scope of my claim, I Consider within the spirit of my invention.

I Claim:

A window cleaner, comprising a carriage movable along a window sill, a substantially rigid lateral extension iiXedly connected thereto, adapted to extend over the window sill to a point beyond the same, a vertical guide frame mounted on the carriage for limited pivotal movement toward and from a window, a cleaning element movable along the guide frame, remotely operable means connected to said cleaning element for effecting movement thereof along said iframe7 an upwardly disposed arm having its lower end pivotally mounted upon the carriage for movement toward and from the window and having its upper end laterally disposed for bearing engagement with an adj aeent portion of said guide frame, and manually operable means connected to said arm extending to a point therebeyond for facilitating pivotal movement of the same.

In witness whereof she has hereunto set her hand.

INEZ MARIAM OLDHAM.

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