US20100162504A1

US20100162504A1 - Marine Maintenance Tool

Info

Publication number: US20100162504A1
Application number: US12/649,319
Authority: US
Inventors: Brad E. Shaffer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-29
Filing date: 2009-12-29
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

A single piece boat cleaning tool which has a plurality of cleaning surfaces are each cleaning surface designed to be used on a specific component of the boat. These components can be the hull surface, external lights and equipment which require removal of marine organisms, drive shafts, and/or propeller blades. The invention also provides a buoyant handle which floats the scraping/cleaning tool to the surface in the event that it is dropped in the water. A handle also includes a nonslip grip surface and an external protrusion which provides support for the user's thumb when cleaning. A chipping blade extends from the distal end of the handle. The multiservice cleaning blade extends from a proximal end of the handle.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to marine maintenance tools, and more particularly it relates to scraping/cleaning devices for use on hull exteriors and mechanical components such as drive shafts and propellers.
2. Background of the Invention
As any boat owner is aware, boat maintenance requires a substantial amount of time and effort due to the harsh environmental conditions that boats are subjected to. External areas of the boat which are in contact with water are the most vulnerable to corrosion and build up of dirt and/or marine problems such as barnacles.
In addition to the cost involved with maintaining the external hull and submerged equipment, there is also a problem with a number of tools required to completely clean the hull and submerged equipment. As many boats are cleaned while in the water, each additional tool required to do the job places an additional inconvenience on the cleaner. It would be desirable to have a single tool capable of cleaning most of the external surfaces on a boat.
In addition to the cost and inconvenience, when many tools were taken into the water they can be easily lost if dropped. It would be desirable to have a method of preventing equipment loss when tools are dropped in the water.
While the prior art has provided basic a variety of tools, each of which is designed to serve a specific function, it has failed to provide a single tool which can perform all the cleaning tasks on the exterior hull and mechanical equipment on a boat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a single scraping/cleaning tool which has a plurality of cleaning surfaces. Each cleaning surface has the unique shape and is designed to be used on a specific component of the boat. These components can be the hull surface, external lights and equipment which require removal of marine organisms, drive shafts, and/or propeller blades. The invention also provides a buoyant handle which floats the scraping/cleaning tool to the surface in the event that it is dropped in the water. A handle also includes a nonslip grip surface and an external protrusion which provides support for the user's thumb when cleaning. A chipping blade extends from the distal end of the handle. The multiservice cleaning blade extends from a proximal end of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

FIG. 5 is a perspective front side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1. As can be seen from this figure, the scraping/cleaning tool 1 has two primary sections: a handle 3 and a multi-surface cleaning blade 2 which extends from the proximal end of the handle 3. Also shown is a chipping blade 9 which extends from the distal end of the handle 3.
In regard to the multi-surface cleaning blade 2, it has multiple surfaces designed for specific tasks related to maintenance of boat surfaces. Distal edge 5 is a general purpose edge that can be used to scrap flat surfaces. Optional point 7 is used to clean areas, such as screens, etc., which require a small cleaning point to chip away debris. Large curved edge 4 is used to scrape the curved portions of a boat. In particular, curved edge 4 is used to clean propellers. Curved edge 6 is used to clean shafts, such as drive shafts. Short edge 8 is not intended for any specific purpose, but can be used for any convenient purpose.
Handle 3 has several components. Shaft 10 is gripped during use. Surface 11 is separated from shaft 10 by protrusion 12 which provides a resting place for the user's hand between the thumb and the fingers. This provides a comfortable support for the user while working. The distal end 14 of the handle 3 has an aperture 13 to hang the scraping/cleaning tool 1 when not in use. Alternatively, a lanyard can be attached to aperture 13 so the scraping/cleaning tool 1 can be secured during use. Chipping blade 9 is also shown extending from the distal end of handle 3. Chipping blade 3 can be used to clean a variety of small boat surfaces, such as lights, etc. Optional lanyard 16 can be used to secure the scraping/cleaning tool to a diver while working on the boat.
As can be seen, the design of scraping/cleaning tool 1 provides a single tool which can be used to clean virtually all of the surfaces on a boat.
FIG. 2 is a rear side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1. As can be seen from this view, shaft 10 has a roughened or knurled surface 15 which aids gripping during use. This is especially important since the device is typically used in water, where the possibility of slippage is increased.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1. This view provides an illustration of surface 11 and protrusion 12 in the preferred embodiment. It also illustrates how roughened or knurled surface 15 on shaft 10 may be configured.
FIG. 4 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1. This view also provides an illustration of surface 11 and protrusion 12 in the preferred embodiment. Likewise, it also illustrates how roughened or knurled surface 15 on shaft 10 may be configured.
FIG. 5 is a perspective front side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1. The curved edge 6 is preferably sized to fit a particular shaft diameter. In practice a variety of scraping/cleaning tools 1 would be made available for boat owners, each having a different size curved edge 6, to allow a boat owner to select the appropriate size.
FIG. 6 is a perspective rear side view of a preferred embodiment of the scraping/cleaning tool 1.
The components of the multi-surface cleaning blade 2 can be fabricated from any suitable material so long as they are suitable for the harsh nature of marine environments.
Another feature of the invention is the handle 3. Preferably, the handle 3 is fabricated from buoyant material to help avoid accidental loss when used in water. Likewsie, the lanyard 16 can be used to secure it to the diver or to other equipment.
While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the preferred embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention shall be limited to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A scraping/cleaning tool, comprising:

a multi-surface cleaning blade, further comprising:

a propeller cleaning surface;

a shaft cleaning surface;

a chipping blade; and

a point for cleaning small objects.