US20130327264A1

US20130327264A1 - Cleaning implements for watercraft

Info

Publication number: US20130327264A1
Application number: US13/978,340
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Evans
Original assignee: HULLMATE Ltd
Current assignee: HULLMATE Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-06
Filing date: 2011-08-05
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: GB201013268D0; GB2482550A; EP2630028A1; WO2012017253A1

Abstract

An implement (10) for cleaning at least partially submerged parts of watercraft, the cleaning implement comprising a cleaning head (1) connectable to an elongate support (40), wherein the cleaning head has a greater tran/sverse dimension than the elongate support. The cleaning implement is provided with a deflection surface extending between the cleaning head and the elongate support, such that impingement of an obstacle on the deflection surface, during longitudinal movement of the cleaning head, in use, would cause the cleaning head to be deflected transversely until clear of the obstacle. The cleaning head may have at least one air chamber (11), the air chamber having an open lower end and being adapted to be submerged, in use, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use.

Description

This invention relates to implements for cleaning watercraft, and in particular to implements for cleaning at least partially submerged parts of watercraft, such as its hull.
The hulls of watercraft are conventionally cleaned by either removing the watercraft from the water, or using divers to access the hull. It has previously been suggested to use a cleaning implement having a handle, a support shaft, and some form of cleaning head, for cleaning the hull while a user stands adjacent to the watercraft. A particularly advantageous form of cleaning implement that has been suggested is provided with a cleaning head having buoyancy that co-operates with the force applied by the user to assist in cleaning the hull. However, these suggested cleaning implements have not been entirely satisfactory.
Depending on the part of the hull to be cleaned, it may be desirable to adjust the upward force provided by the buoyancy of the cleaning head. Previously suggested cleaning implements allow the user to adjust the buoyancy, but only by the user adding or removing ballast material to/from a cavity within the cleaning head. This may be inconvenient and time-consuming, considering that the cleaning head must be removed from the water, a water tight closure removed, the cavity part-filled with material, etc.
Furthermore, the buoyancy of the cleaning head may cause problems when a user encounters obstacles on the hull, such as a lower edge of the hull or the rudder. In particular, where the cleaning implement includes a support shaft and a buoyant cleaning head, it may be typically difficult to move the cleaning head around obstacles in view of the increased friction between the cleaning head and the hull caused by the buoyancy of the cleaning head.
There has now been devised an improved watercraft cleaning implement which overcomes or substantially mitigates the above-mentioned and/or other disadvantages associated with the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an implement for cleaning at least partially submerged parts of watercraft, the cleaning implement comprising a cleaning head connectable to an elongate support, the cleaning head having a greater transverse dimension than the elongate support, wherein the cleaning implement is provided with a deflection surface, such that impingement of an obstacle on the deflection surface, during longitudinal movement of the cleaning head, in use, would cause the cleaning head to be deflected transversely until clear of the obstacle.
The present invention is advantageous principally because the deflection surface causes the cleaning head to be deflected transversely, until clear of an obstacle, during use, rather than the cleaning head becoming trapped by the obstacle and potentially damaging either the cleaning head or the obstacle.
The present invention is particularly advantageous in relation to cleaning implements in which the cleaning head is provided with buoyancy that urges the cleaning head against submerged parts of the watercraft, eg the hull, during use. This buoyancy is provided to improve the cleaning performance of the cleaning head. However, this buoyancy can also make transverse movement of the cleaning head more difficult during use, particularly where the elongate support has a substantial length, eg greater than 1 m.
The buoyancy of the cleaning head is preferably provided by one or more air chambers. The one or more air chambers may be sealed, in use, such that a body of air in the air chamber is disposed below the surface of the water, in use, and provides the cleaning head with the majority of its buoyancy. The air chamber may be openable and resealable, such that water or other ballast material can be introduced into the air chamber, thereby reducing the buoyancy of the cleaning head. As discussed in more detail below, the cleaning head may instead, or in addition, include one or more air chambers having an open lower end and being adapted to be submerged, in use, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use.
The cleaning implement is preferably arranged with the cleaning head at one end of the elongate support, and a handle provided at the other end. This arrangement preferably enables a user to stand adjacent to a watercraft, which is in the water, and clean submerged parts of the watercraft using the cleaning head, by manipulating the handle of the cleaning implement. In view of the elongate nature of the support, movement of the cleaning head in a longitudinal direction is generally easier for the user, compared to movement of the cleaning head in a transverse direction.
In some embodiments, the deflection surface is a surface of the cleaning head that faces upwardly during use. In particular, this upwardly facing deflection surface may extend between an upper surface of the support and an upwardly facing surface of the cleaning head, which may be a cleaning surface. This arrangement is advantageous in the event that the cleaning head has been pushed beyond a generally horizontal formation on the underside of the watercraft, such as a lower edge of the hull.
The cleaning head may be inverted between different modes of use.
In some embodiments, the deflection surface is a side surface of the cleaning head, as orientated during use. In particular, this side surface preferably extends from a surface of the elongate support to a transverse extremity of the cleaning head. Most preferably, a deflection surface is provided on both sides of the cleaning head. This arrangement is advantageous in the event that the cleaning head has been pushed beyond a vertical formation on the underside of a watercraft, such as a generally vertical side of a rudder or keel.
The deflection surface is preferably at least partially curved. The curvature of the deflection surface preferably at least partially defines the path of the obstacle across the deflection surface during deflection, in use. The deflection surface preferably includes a concave portion, at least adjacent the surface of the elongate support. The curvature of the deflection surface is preferably in a longitudinal plane, and the curvature is preferably constant in parallel planes, ie across the width of the deflection surface.
The deflection surface is preferably substantially smooth. By “substantially smooth” is meant that an obstacle having the general dimensions of a lower edge of a hull, or an edge of a rudder or keel, of a watercraft is able to ride over the deflection surface, without becoming trapped, during use. Hence, each curved portion of the deflection surface has a radius of curvature that is greater than the thickness of the elongate support in the plane of curvature, eg greater than 3 cm, greater than 5 cm, greater than 10 cm, or greater than 20 cm. Where the deflection surface includes adjacent generally linear portions at an angle to one another, the angle of separation is preferably less than 40°, more preferably less than 30°, and most preferably less than 20°.
Where the deflection surface is a surface of the cleaning head that faces upwardly during use, the deflection surface preferably extends substantially to the end of the cleaning implement defined by the cleaning head. In particular, where the cleaning head has buoyancy, the deflection surface preferably extends as close to the end of the cleaning implement as is necessary for the cleaning head to be clear of the obstacle, in a longitudinal direction, when the deflection surface disengages the obstacle during use. In some embodiments, the cleaning surface may either form part of the deflection surface, or may be sufficiently deformable that the cleaning surface does not hinder movement of the cleaning head clear of the obstacle, during use.
In contrast, where the deflection surface is a side surface of the cleaning head, as orientated during use, the deflection surface preferably extends substantially to a transverse extremity of the cleaning implement defined by the cleaning head. In particular, where the cleaning head has buoyancy, the deflection surface preferably extends as close to the transverse extremity of the cleaning implement as is necessary for the cleaning head to be clear of the obstacle, in a transverse direction, when the deflection surface disengages the obstacle during use.
The deflection surface may be defined by an entire face of the cleaning head, eg an upper surface or a side surface. Alternatively, the deflection surface may defined, at least partially, by one or more ridges that are raised from a surface of the cleaning head. In order to provide rotation stability, where the one or more ridges are provided on an upper face of the cleaning head, in use, either two or more ridges are provided on the face of the cleaning head, or a single ridge is provided with a sufficiently wide contact surface to maintain a rotational position during use.
The cleaning head preferably includes a cleaning surface adapted to engage submerged parts of the watercraft, and clean those submerged parts as the cleaning head is moved back and forth over those submerged parts. In particular, the cleaning head may be moved back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning implement, in use.
Where the deflection surface is a surface of the cleaning head that faces upwardly during use, the end of the deflection surface adjacent to the elongate support preferably faces in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate support. The deflection surface is preferably substantially concave in form, in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate support, and preferably has a curvature that is substantially the same across the width of the cleaning head. The end of the deflection surface at the distal end of the cleaning implement is preferably disposed above the longitudinal axis of the elongate support, and preferably faces in the general direction of the user at the proximal end of the cleaning implement.
The cleaning surface is typically provided at the end of the cleaning head remote from the elongate support. The cleaning surface is preferably defined by a replaceable cleaning component, and hence the cleaning head and/or the cleaning component preferably includes suitable fasteners for releasably fastening the cleaning component to the cleaning head. The cleaning surface may be defined by any suitable material, but will typically be defined by a foam material. Most preferably, the cleaning surface is defined by a foam material, and in particular the cleaning component is preferably formed substantially of foam material. Advantageously, the cleaning surface is ridged to improve cleaning effectiveness.
The cleaning surface preferably also includes a portion having a generally angular cross-sectional shape, eg having the form of a wedge, which is substantially constant across the width of the cleaning head. Most preferably, the angle of the angular- or wedge-shaped portion is in the range of 70 to 90°.
A connector portion may be provided at the end of the cleaning head which is remote from the cleaning surface. For example, this may comprise a tubular socket adapted to receive one end of the elongate support. The connector portion may also include means for fastening the elongate support in place.
A disadvantage of prior art cleaning implements is that the buoyancy of the cleaning head may cause the cleaning head to become trapped behind formations on the submerged underside of the watercraft, during use, such as a lower edge of the hull, or a rudder or keel of the watercraft. In particular, as discussed above, movement of the cleaning head in a longitudinal direction is generally easier for the user, compared to movement of the cleaning head in a transverse direction.
The present invention is therefore particularly advantageous in the situation where, while using the implement to clean the hull of a watercraft, a user pushes the cleaning head beyond a lower edge of the hull. In this situation, the buoyancy of the cleaning head will typically urge the distal end of the cleaning implement upwards, such that a part of the cleaning implement other than a cleaning surface of the cleaning head is urged against the lower edge of the hull. If the user then retracts the cleaning head, the deflection surface of the cleaning implement will be brought into contact with the edge of the lower edge of the hull, and the cleaning head will slide substantially smoothly beyond the lower edge of the hull without jarring or becoming trapped.
Similarly, the present invention is particularly advantageous in the situation where, while using the implement to clean the hull of a watercraft, at least part of the cleaning head becomes positioned behind the rudder or keel of a watercraft. As discussed above, particularly where the cleaning head has buoyancy, it is typically difficult to move the cleaning head transversely, rather than longitudinally. However, if the user then retracts the cleaning head, the deflection surface of the cleaning implement will be brought into contact with a generally vertical edge of the rudder or keel, and the cleaning head will slide substantially smoothly beyond this generally vertical edge without jarring or becoming trapped.
Since any jarring of the cleaning head, or the cleaning head becoming trapped, in these situations, would apply large stresses to the implement, potentially damaging both the implement and possibly also the watercraft itself, the present invention greatly reduces the likelihood of damage occurring during use.
Hence, according to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of cleaning at least partially submerged parts of a watercraft, the method comprising providing a cleaning implement as described above, and moving the cleaning head back and forth over submerged parts of the watercraft, wherein the user retracts the cleaning head, when an obstacle impinges on the deflection surface, until the cleaning head is deflected transversely, clear of the obstacle.
As discussed above, the buoyancy of the cleaning head is preferably provided by one or more air chambers. In particularly preferred embodiments, the cleaning head comprises at least one air chamber having an open lower end and being adapted to be submerged, in use, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an implement for cleaning submerged parts of a watercraft comprising a cleaning head having at least one air chamber, the air chamber having an open lower end and being adapted to be submerged, in use, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use.
This aspect of the invention is advantageous principally in that the cleaning head may be readily provided with buoyancy that facilitates cleaning of submerged parts of a watercraft.
The cleaning head is preferably adapted to be submerged in a first orientation in which air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use, and a second orientation in which less air, or substantially no air, is retained within the at least one air chamber. This arrangement enables the buoyancy of the cleaning head to be adjusted by the orientation of the cleaning head when it is submerged. This is particularly advantageous where the cleaning head is provided at the end of an elongate support because it enables the buoyancy of the cleaning head to be adjusted without the user directly accessing the cleaning head, for example to add ballast manually to an air chamber.
The cleaning head is preferably arranged with the open lower end of the at least one air chamber being orientated substantially horizontally in the first orientation, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber when the cleaning head is submerged, and being orientated at a sufficient angle to horizontal, in the second orientation, such that less air, or substantially no air, is retained within the at least one air chamber when the cleaning head is submerged.
In presently preferred embodiments, the at least one air chamber is defined by a recess in a lower surface of the cleaning head. The at least one air chamber preferably has a depth that is at least 30% of its length or width, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably 100% or greater. The at least one air chamber is preferably defined by side walls with substantially vertical internal surfaces, in the first orientation, in order that the amount of air retained in the chamber is optimised.
The cleaning head may include a plurality of air chambers, for example four or more, most preferably arranged in an array on the lower surface of the cleaning head, when orientated for use.
The plurality of air chambers, or recesses, are preferably arranged such that a greater quantity of air is retained at the end of the cleaning head at which a cleaning surface is provided, which is typically the distal end, relative to the end of the cleaning head that is connected to a support.
The at least one air chamber of the cleaning head is preferably adapted to retain a sufficient quantity of air that the difference in buoyancy between the charged and uncharged states of the chamber is clearly perceptible to the user, during use, and most preferably increases the buoyancy of the cleaning head by at least 5%, more preferably at least 10% and most preferably at least 20%.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of cleaning at least partially submerged parts of a watercraft, the method comprising providing a cleaning implement as described above, submerging the cleaning head in a first orientation in which air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use, and moving the cleaning head back and forth over submerged parts of the watercraft
Alternatively, the cleaning head may be submerged in a second orientation in which less air, or substantially no air, is retained within the at least one air chamber. This arrangement enables the buoyancy of the cleaning head to be adjusted by the orientation of the cleaning head, when it is submerged. This is particularly advantageous where the cleaning head is provided at the end of an elongate support because it enables the buoyancy of the cleaning head to be adjusted without the user directly accessing the cleaning head, for example to add ballast manually to an air chamber.
The present invention is suitable for use with any type of watercraft, such as boats, where it is desirable to clean normally submerged parts of the watercraft, such as the hull, without removing the watercraft from the water. This invention is therefore particularly advantageous in relation to medium-sized watercraft, such as pleasure boats, eg yachts and motor boats.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of the cleaning implement;

FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the cleaning implement;

FIG. 3 shows a first perspective view of a cleaning head that forms part of the cleaning implement.

FIG. 4 shows an underside view of the cleaning head;

FIG. 5 shows a second perspective view of the cleaning head;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show side views of the cleaning implement in use

FIG. 8 shows a section view through the cleaning component; and,

FIG. 9 shows side views of two different configurations of the implement in use.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cleaning implement according to the invention. The cleaning implement is generally designated 10. The cleaning implement 10 comprises a cleaning head 1 connected to one end of a support shaft 40 that acts as a handle, in use. The support shaft 40 comprises three telescopic, tubular components, which cooperate to enable the length of the support shaft 40 to be adjusted. In particular, at the connection between each adjacent telescopic component, the support shaft 40 includes a spring loaded lug on one telescopic component and a series of corresponding openings on the other telescopic component, which cooperate to fasten the telescopic components in a desired position relative to each other.
The support shaft 40 is around 1 to 4 m in length, and is adapted to be held by a user at the opposite end to the cleaning head 1. The support shaft 40 is linear in form, along the majority of its length, but includes an angled portion at one end. The angled portion is connected to the cleaning head 1, such that the cleaning head 1 projects at an angle of around 20 to 40° to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.
Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the cleaning head 1 comprises a connector 2, a cleaning component 3, a cylindrical buoyancy cavity with caps 4 at either end, and a neck portion 5 that joins the cylindrical buoyancy cavity and the cleaning component 3 to the connector 2.
The connector 2 is adapted to connect the cleaning head 1 to the support shaft 40. The connector 2 comprises a tubular connector 26 that projects approximately 10 to 20 cm from the proximal end of the neck portion 5, and a protective plastic ring 27 at the free end of the tubular connector 26. The tubular connector 26 is adapted to receive one end of the elongate support 40, and includes an opening adapted to receive a resilient lug 28 projecting from the wall of the elongate support 40 to connect those components together.
The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical buoyancy cavity is offset from and substantially perpendicular to that of the connector 2, which conveniently orientates the cleaning component 3 for cleaning. This is achieved by the neck portion 5 being generally curved away from the longitudinal axis of the connector 2. In particular, the neck portion 5 has a lower surface (6, shown in FIG. 3) that is convex in form in a longitudinal plane, and is orientated at the underside of the cleaning head 1 during use. The neck portion 5 also has an upper surface (8, shown in FIG. 5) that is concave in form in a longitudinal plane, and is orientated at the upper side of the cleaning head 1 during use.
In addition, the neck portion 5 gradually increases in cross-sectional dimensions as it extends from the connector 2 to the end at which the cleaning component 3 is formed. Firstly, the upper and lower surfaces 6,8 of the neck portion 5 curve smoothly away from the upper and lower surfaces of the connector 2, and the thickness of the neck portion 5 gradually increases from the end adjacent the connector to the end at which the cleaning component 3 is formed. Secondly, the sides 9 of the neck portion 5 curve outwardly, ie away from the longitudinal axis of the connector 2, by approximately 90 degrees, from the end of the neck portion 5 adjacent to the connector 2 to a transversely extending surface of the caps 4.
The neck portion 5 also comprises a plurality of recesses 11 on its lower surface (6, as shown in FIG. 3). The recesses 11 are arranged in three columns that each have three recesses of gradually increasing size as the columns extend towards the end at which the cleaning component 3 is formed. In particular, the columns of recesses 11 each have a gradually increasing width, such that the shape of these formations corresponds to the shape of the lower surface of the neck portion 5.
Each recess 11 in the lower surface of the neck portion 5 is defined by internal walls that extend from a lower wall of the neck portion 5 to an upper end that is slightly depressed relative to the remainder of the lower surface of the neck portion 5. A cover 13 is also located over the central column of recesses 11 and is shaped to cover the central column of recesses 11 only. The cover 13 is raised slightly so as to separate it from the top edges of the walls of the recesses 11 over which it is located. This means that the cover 13 would not prevent water from entering the central column of recesses 11, during use. The cover 13 is held in place by screws which are received in threaded bores formed in the neck portion 5. In addition, three raised portions 16 are provided along the length of the cover 13, the width of each raised portion 16 being slightly less than the width of the cover 13.
The upper and lower surfaces 6,8 of the neck portion 5 join the cylindrical buoyancy cavity generally tangentially, at diametrically opposed sides of the cavity, across the entire width of the cavity between the caps 4. Each end of the buoyancy cavity comprises a circular opening, with the outer surface of the cavity at each end being threaded and adapted to engage with a corresponding threaded portion of a cap 4. The outer wall of the cylindrical cavity has a radially-projecting flange 17 at each end, against which the caps 4 abut when engaged with the ends of the buoyancy cavity.
A raised ridge 29 is also provided on each curved side of the neck portion 5. The ridge 29 on each side terminates at the respective flange 17 and is the same height above the cavity wall as the flange 17 at the point where they meet. This provides a substantially continuous surface extending from the end of the neck 5 portion adjacent to the connector 2 to the external surface of the cap 4. In addition, the caps 4 have four integrally formed, symmetrically spaced raised portions to assist in gripping. The raised portions extend from the side edges of the cap 4 onto its end surfaces.
The cleaning component 3 is releasably fastened to the opposite side of the buoyancy cavity to that to which the neck portion 5 is joined, ie at the end surface of the cleaning implement 10. The cleaning component 3 extends along the length of the wall of the cylindrical buoyancy cavity wall and projects forwardly therefrom. The cleaning component 3 is fastened to the wall of the buoyancy cavity by a connector strips 30 extending laterally across spaced edges of the cleaning component 3. In particular, each connector strip 30 includes an enlarged portion having a generally circular cross-section, and the enlarged portion is received within a corresponding raised retaining tube 31, which are attached to each side of the cavity wall, with a snap-fit. In addition, the connector strip 30 is clamped at each end between the corresponding cap 4 and the cavity wall.
The upper surface of the cleaning component 3 is substantially flat, and is substantially coplanar relative to the adjacent surface of the neck portion 5. Furthermore, with the exception of the retaining tube 31, the upper surface of the cleaning portion 3 is smoothly aligned with the upper surface 8 of the neck 5. There are therefore substantially no discontinuities in the surface presented by the upper surface of the cleaning head 1. In addition, the retaining tube 31 is sufficiently flexible for it not to present a significant impediment to an obstacle traveling along the upper surface of the cleaning head 1, as discussed in more detail below.
The cleaning component 3 also includes a surface that extends generally perpendicularly from the end of the upper surface of the cleaning component 3, to the other side of the buoyancy cavity. This surface is generally curved, and hence defines the end and lower surfaces of the cleaning component 3. The end surface of the cleaning component 3 also includes several smooth ridges 24, in order to facilitate the cleaning action of that surface. The generally perpendicular arrangement of the upper and end surfaces of the cleaning component 3 also facilitates cleaning by enabling the cleaning component 3 to access surfaces that are angled relative to one another.
In use, the cleaning implement 10 is prepared by connecting the support shaft 40 to the cleaning head 1, and adjusting the length of the support shaft 40 as appropriate. In addition, the appropriate amount of ballast, if any, is introduced into the buoyancy cavity to provide the cleaning head 1 with a desired minimum buoyancy.
The cleaning implement 10 is suitable for cleaning watercraft in the water, while a user stands on an adjacent platform. In particular, the cleaning head 1 is placed into water with the user holding the end of the elongate support 40 that is remote from the cleaning head 1. The cleaning head 1 is orientated with the recesses 11 on a lower surface of the cleaning head 1, and the upper surface of the cleaning head 1 being that with a concave curvature in a longitudinal plane. The cleaning head 3 is then moved back and forth the across the parts of the watercraft that are being cleaned, eg the hull, in order to effect cleaning. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 6.
The user may select whether to trap air in the recesses 11 in the lower surface of the cleaning head, and therefore whether to increase the buoyancy of the cleaning head 1, by submerging the cleaning head 1 in particular orientations. In particular, it will typically be desirable to have an increased buoyancy when cleaning parts of the watercraft covered in a hard antifouling paint, but it will typically be desirable to have a reduced buoyancy when cleaning parts of the watercraft covered in a soft antifouling paint, or those parts of the watercraft that are at greater risk of damage, such as a keel or rudder.
In order to trap air in the recesses 11 in the lower surface of the cleaning head 1, and hence achieve an increased buoyancy, the cleaning head 1 is submerged with the lower surface of the cleaning head 1 being orientated generally horizontally, as shown in FIG. 6. In contrast, in order not to trap air in the recesses 11 in the lower surface of the cleaning head 1, the cleaning head 1 is submerged with the lower surface of the cleaning head 1 being orientated at an angle to horizontal, as shown in FIG. 7.
During the cleaning operation, the cleaning component 3 is urged against submerged parts of the watercraft by its buoyancy, and the user moves the cleaning head 1 back and forth to clean those submerged parts. During this operation, it is likely that the user will at some point move the cleaning component 3 beyond the lowermost surface of the watercraft. In this situation, the buoyancy of the cleaning head 1 will cause either the neck portion 5 or connector 2 of the cleaning head 1, or the support shaft 40, to be urged against the lowermost surface of the watercraft. In such a situation, the user is able to retract the cleaning head 1, such that the lowermost surface of the watercraft travels along a deflection surface defined by the upper surfaces of the elongate support 40 and the cleaning head 1, until the cleaning head 1 is clear of the lowermost surface of the watercraft. The deflection surface therefore allows the cleaning implement 10 to be retrieved easily and without damage to the cleaning implement 10 or the watercraft.
A similar scenario may arise when a user is cleaning the underside of a hull, and the cleaning head 1 becomes positioned at least partially behind the rudder or keel. In such a situation, the user is able to retract the cleaning head 1, such that the edge of the rudder or keel travels along a deflection surface defined by the adjacent side surfaces of the elongate support 40 and the cleaning head 1, until the cleaning head 1 is clear of the rudder or keel. The deflection surface therefore allows the cleaning implement 10 to be retrieved easily and without damage to the cleaning implement 10 or the watercraft.
Turning now to FIG. 8, there is shown a section view through the cleaning component or member 3 separated from the cleaning head 1. The cleaning component is formed of a cellular material such as a sponge or other suitable low density absorbent material. In this example, the sponge cleaning component is formed by cutting the desired profile and length of sponge from a larger mass. The sponge may be formed in lengths which are cut to size.
The component 3 has an inner surface 42, which is shaped to contact and partially enclose or surround a correspondingly shaped portion of the cleaning head. The inner surface is arcuate or generally concave in section and, in this particular embodiment, is generally semi-circular in section. The body of the component 3 depends outwardly from the inner surface 42 to its outer edges, which comprise a first, upper surface 44 and a generally arcuate, second (or front) surface 46, which is profiled to provide a series of ridges 24. Second surface 46 undulates so as to define generally smooth ridges or troughs which extend laterally across the width of the component 3. A series of four ridges are provided in this embodiment.
A further ridge or groove 48 is provided in the upper surface 44. The edge 50 between the surfaces 44 and 46 is rounded to form a cleaning edge. The edge 52 of the surface 46 which is remote from the upper surface 44 (i.e. at the lower most edge of the cleaning component) is also rounded so as to form a second cleaning edge which is generally parallel with edge 50. The angle swept by the curved surface 46 (i.e. between edges 50 and 52) is approximately 90°.
The edge 52 is spaced from an inner wall 53, which connects to the cleaning head 1 by connector strips 30, by a distance of 30-40 mm. An intermediate wall, which is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 42 extends between the inner wall 53 and edge 52.
The height of the component 3 as shown in FIG. 8 is in the region of 160-200 mm and typically approximately 180 mm. The surface 46 curves away from the edge 50 such that depth of the component between edges 50 and 52 is in the region of 120-150 mm, and typically approximately 130 mm. The ratio of these dimensions as well has been found to be beneficial in providing an effective cleaning action.
The geometry of the cleaning component 3 is beneficial for cleaning areas of a boat hull in the vicinity of a keel or rudder, or other hydrodynamic formations, such as fins, which depends outwardly from the hull and therefore forms a corner which is otherwise difficult to access. In this regard the angle formed between surfaces 44 and 46, as well as the sweeping curvature of the surface 46 allow the component 3, and specifically the edge 50, to enter and thereby clean such corner formations. This is achieved in combination with the overall curvature of the component 3 which allows it to pass over a convex hull surface whilst avoiding contact between the rigid head 1 and the hull. This is shown by the orientation of the head and cleaning component 3 as it moves in the direct of arrow A as shown in FIG. 9. Once the head enters the corner 54, it can be moved back and forth by the user such that the component 3 rides in and out of the corner in a cleaning action.
There is an area of fouling on the boats hull at the waterline which is often heaviest due to algae growth. For cleaning such areas of the boat a user an invert the cleaning head such that the head 1 and component 3 are oriented in a generally downward direction as shown in the second (upper) configuration in FIG. 9. The depth of the foam in this configuration is also sufficient to substantially prevent contact between the boat hull and the rigid or harder portions of the cleaning device.
Furthermore, as well as being able to ride over a smoothly curving boat hull, in either of the orientations shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning component 3 geometry also facilitates the cleaning of chimes—ridges typically provided towards the bow of a motor boat hull to displace water when the boat is in motion. Such chimes can vary significantly in size. However tests have shown that the cleaning component can ride over and into the chimes. Thus when the curved profile of the cleaning head is combined with the geometry of the cleaning component as described above, it beneficially allows effective cleaning of the entire hull potion of a boat.

Claims

1. An implement for cleaning at least partially submerged parts of watercraft, the cleaning implement comprising:

a cleaning head connectable to an elongate support, the cleaning head having a greater transverse dimension than the elongate support;

a deflection surface extending between the cleaning head and the elongate support, such that impingement of an obstacle on the deflection surface, during longitudinal movement of the cleaning head, in use, would cause the cleaning head to be deflected transversely until clear of the obstacle.

2. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head has one or more air chambers to provide buoyancy that urges the cleaning head against submerged parts of the watercraft.

3. (canceled)

4. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning head includes one or more air chambers having an open lower end and configured to be submerged, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy.

5. (canceled)

6. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflection surface extends between an upper surface of the elongate support and an upwardly facing surface of the cleaning head so as to define a surface of the cleaning head that faces upwardly during use.

7. (canceled)

8. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upwardly facing deflection surface extends substantially to an end of the cleaning implement defined by the cleaning head.

9. (canceled)

10. A cleaning implement as claimed claim 1, wherein the deflection surface is a side surface of the cleaning head and extends from a surface of the elongate support to a transverse extremity of the cleaning head.

11. (canceled)

12. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the deflection surface is provided on both sides of the cleaning head.

13. (canceled)

14. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cleaning head has buoyancy, and the side deflection surface extends as close to the transverse extremity of the cleaning implement as is necessary for the cleaning head to be clear of the obstacle, in a transverse direction, when the deflection surface disengages the obstacle during use.

15. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflection surface is at least partially curved and includes a concave portion, at least adjacent a surface of the elongate support.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 15, wherein each curved portion of the deflection surface has a radius of curvature that is greater than a thickness of the elongate support in a plane of curvature.

19. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflection surface is defined by an entire face of the cleaning head.

20. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflection surface is defined, at least partially, by one or more ridges that are raised from a surface of the cleaning head.

21. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 comprising:

a water permeable cleaning member depending outwardly from the cleaning head, the cleaning member comprising an upper cleaning surface and a front cleaning surface each being angled so as to meet at an intermediate edge, wherein the front cleaning surface is curved in a convex manner in a rearward direction.

22. (canceled)

23. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the front cleaning surface is curved through a swept angle of between 60 and 120°.

24. (canceled)

25. An implement for cleaning submerged parts of a watercraft comprising:

a cleaning head having at least one air chamber, the air chamber having an open lower end and configured to be submerged such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use.

26. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cleaning head is configured to be submerged in a first orientation in which air is retained within the at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy during use, and a second orientation in which less air is retained within the at least one air chamber, and wherein the cleaning head is arranged with the open lower end of the at least one air chamber being orientated substantially horizontally in the first orientation, such that air is retained within the at least one air chamber when the cleaning head is submerged, and being orientated at a sufficient angle to horizontal, in the second orientation, such that less air is retained within the at least one air chamber when the cleaning head is submerged.

27. (canceled)

28. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at least one air chamber is defined by a recess in a lower surface of the cleaning head.

29. (canceled)

30. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at least one air chamber has a depth that is at least 60% of a length or a width of the at least one air chamber.

31. (canceled)

32. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cleaning head includes a plurality of air chambers.

33. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 32, wherein the plurality of air chambers are arranged such that a greater quantity of air is retained at an end of the cleaning head at which a cleaning surface is provided, relative to an end of the cleaning head that is connected to a support.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)