Manual glasswasher with rotatable cleaning element

Abstract

 A window wiper (1) comprising at least one first support arm (2), a second support arm (3) and a handle (4), said first support arm (2) projecting from said handle (4) with a first end (2a) thereof fixed to said handle (4), while a second end (2b) thereof, opposite the first end (2a), is rigidly coupled to a strip (5) of plastic material, said second support arm (3) projecting from said handle (4) with a first end (3a) thereof rigidly secured to said handle (4) while its second end (3b), opposite the first end (3a), is hinged to a cleaning element (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a manual glasswasher or window wiper with rotary cleaning element.

[0002] Conventional window wipers are known to be provided with two support arms projecting from a handle.

[0003] The free end of the first support arm is then fixed to a sponge while the free end of the second arm is fixed to a rubber strip.

[0004] During use of the window wiper, the sponge impregnated with a liquid solution, for example a detergent, is rubbed over the surface to be cleaned in order to spread the liquid solution. The liquid solution is then removed by sliding the rubber strip over this surface.

[0005] These window wipers are frequently used to clean curved surfaces such as automobile windscreens.

[0006] To ensure constant adhesion of the sponge to be cleaned during use, the user has to rotate the window wiper handle.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a window wiper which ensures constant adherence of the window wiper to the surface to be cleaned, even when this presents curvature or inclination changes.

[0008] Said object is attained by a window wiper the inventive characteristics of which are defined by the accompanying claims.

[0009] The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the window wiper according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front plan view of the window wiper of the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear plan view of the window wiper of the invention;

Figure 4 is a view of the window wiper of the invention seen from above.

[0010] With reference to these figures, these show a window wiper 1 comprising a first support arm 2, a second support arm 3 and a handle 4.

[0011] The first support arm 2 projects from the handle 4, with a first end 2a thereof fixed to the handle 4, while its second end 2b, opposite the first end 2a, is rigidly secured to a strip 5 of plastic material, for example rubber.

[0012] Specifically, the edge of the end 5a of the plastic strip 5 extends in a direction which, in the plane of Figure 2, is perpendicular to the direction in which the handle 4 extends.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first support arm 2 is a plate. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the first end 2a has a width less than the second end 2b, i.e. the support arm 2 is tapered. In other words, the cross-section through the support arm 2 increases in moving away from the handle 4.

[0014] According to the invention, the second support arm 3 projects from the handle 4 with a first end 3a thereof fixed to the handle 4, while its second end 3b, opposite the first end 3a, is rotatably coupled, i.e. hinged, to a cleaning element 6.

[0015] For example, the first end 2a of the first arm 2 and the first end 3a of the second arm 3 project from the same end 4a of the handle 4.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning element 6 comprises a support plate 7.

[0017] For example, the support plate 7 is rectangular in plan view, as shown in Figure 3.

[0018] According to the invention, the support plate 7 rotates as shown by the arrow F in Figure 1, the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the plane of said Figure 1.

[0019] Advantageously, the support plate 7 is provided with at least one eyelet 8 on a first surface 9 thereof, the second end 3b of the second arm 3 being provided with a pin 10 which pivots within the eyelet 8.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the support plate 7 comprises a strip of absorbent material coupled for example to a second surface 11 of the support plate 7 opposite the first surface 9.

[0021] For example, the absorbent material strip is fixed to the second surface 11, or is coupled by elastic means to the support plate 7.

[0022] In this manner the strip of absorbent material can be removed when it requires to be cleaned. Hence in this latter embodiment the support plate 7 acts only as a cloth holder.

[0023] Advantageously, the support plate 7 is coupled to the handle 4 by a third support arm 12, in the same manner as described with reference to the second support arm 3.

[0024] The second and third support arm 3, 12 project specularly about the handle 4 to which they are fixed.

[0025] There is nothing to prevent the second support arm 3 from being in the form of a plate, for example of rectangular shape, which according to the invention is hinged to the cleaning element 6. In particular, this plate is hinged along a first edge to the support plate 7 and is fixed in conventional manner along a second of its edges, opposite the first edge, to the handle 4.

[0026] Advantageously, according to the invention, during the use of the window wiper 1, the support plate 7 adheres to the surface to be cleaned and effects a rotary movement as the curvature or inclination of this surface varies.

[0027] Hence advantageously, according to the invention, the support plate 7 follows the profile of the surface to be cleaned while maintaining the handle 4 in a constant direction.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, an extension is fixedly coupled to the handle 4, for example by articulated joints provided on respective ends of the handle 4 and of the extension, for cleaning, for example, surfaces difficult to reach.

[0029] In particular, a joint 13 is provided on an end 4b of the handle 4 opposite the end 4a to which the support arms 2, 3 are fixed.

[0030] In this embodiment, the use of the window wiper 4 of the invention is particularly advantageous. In this respect, to ensure perfect adherence of the support plate 7 to the surface to be cleaned, it is no longer necessary to rotate the handle 4 and the extension.

[0031] In this respect, as already stated, the rotary movement of the support plate 7 relative to the second arm 2 ensures good adherence and hence good cleaning quantity of the surfaces to be cleaned, even if these surfaces are not easily reachable.

Claims

1. A window wiper (1) comprising at least one first support arm (2), a second support arm (3) and a handle (4), said first support arm (2) projecting from said handle (4) with a first end (2a) thereof fixed to said handle (4), while a second end (2b) thereof, opposite the first end (2a), is rigidly coupled to a strip (5) of plastic material, said window wiper being characterised in that said second support arm (3) projects from said handle (4) with a first end (3a) thereof rigidly secured to said handle (4) while its second end (3b), opposite the first end (3a), is hinged to a cleaning element (6).

2. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said cleaning element (6) comprises a support plate (7) provided with a first surface (9) and a second surface (11) opposite to the first one (9).

3. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said support plate (7) is of rectangular shape in plan view.

4. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said support plate (7) is provided with at least one eyelet (8) on said first surface (9) thereof.

5. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said second end (3b) of said second arm (3) is provided with a pin (10) which is pivoted within said eyelet (8).

6. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said support plate (7) comprises a strip of absorbent material coupled to said second surface (11) of said support plate (7).

7. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said strip of absorbent material is fixed to said second surface (11).

8. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said strip of absorbent material is coupled to said support plate (7) by elastic means.

9. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising a third support arm (12) which couples said support plate (7) to said handle (4).

10. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said second and third arm (3, 12) project specularly about said handle (4).

11. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said first support arm (2) is formed from a plate which is hinged along a first edge thereof to said cleaning element (6) and along a second edge thereof (opposite the first) to said handle (4).

12. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said first end (2a) of said first arm (2) and said first end (3a) of said second arm (3) project from the same end (4a) of said handle (4).

13. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said handle (4) is fixedly coupled to an extension.

14. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said extension and said handle (4) are provided with an articulated joint (13) on respective ends for the connection.

15. A window wiper (1) as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said articulated joint (13) of the handle (4) is provided on an end (4b) of said handle (4), opposite that end (4a) to which said support arms (2, 3) are fixed.

Drawing