Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02212030 1997-08-01
TEM File No. 176.1
TITLE: PORTABLE WINDSEIIELD WASHER APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable apparatus for washing automobile
windshields and other windows or surfaces.
BACKGROUNr) OF THE INVENTION
Automobile windshields need to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt, insects and
other accllm~ ted debris to avoid obscuring a driver's line of vision. The accllmlll~ted dirt
is typically difficult or impossible to clean off the windshield with a vehicle's windshield
wiper blade because it gets "caked-on" and bonds to the windshield, particularly when
driving the vehicle. Dirty windshields are particularly pronounced away from cities where
insect populations are higher and dirt roads more common, and pose a particular problem
and inconvenience to those that must spend much time on the road, such as salespersons
or truck drivers.
Since one typically relies on using windshield washer brushes at gas stations toremove the accllmlll~ted dirt, the problem of driving with dirty windshields is compounded
in rural areas where there are fewer gas stations in a given area, and so longer distances
must be traveled before being able to properly clean the windshield, and hence increases
the chances of a mishap due to obscured or poor visibility. Gas station brushes are relied
upon because a liquid, such as water, is required to effectively clean the dirty windshield.
Merely cleaning the window with a dry brush or rag is usually insufficient.
What is desired therefore is a novel apparatus which overcomes the limitations and
problems of these prior art brushes. Preferably it should provide a brush which can be
kept moist for proper cleaning of a dirty windshield, has a container for holding liquid to
moisten and clean dirt from the brush, and is compact and portable for carrying in a
vehicle or the like.
CA 02212030 1997-08-01
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus, namely a foldable brush inserted into acontainer, according to a pler~lled embodiment ofthe present invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of the brush removed from the container of fig. 1 and
extended into an operative position; and
Figure 3 is a side view of the brush of fig.2.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of a portable windshield washing
apparatus, indicated generally by reference numeral 10, having a collapsible or foldable
brush 30 which is insertable into a fluid holding container 20.
The container 20 is preferably made of a strong plastic or other durable material to
avoid breakage and spilling of the fluid where it is being stored, such as in a vehicle's trunk
during transport. It is understood that the fluid may be water, windshield washer fluid or
any other liquid suitable for washing windshields or windows, and that such fluid should
be compatible with the container's and brush's material. The container has a reservoir
portion 22 for holding such fluid, and a threaded neck portion 24 for receiving the brush
30 in a fluid sealing manner to avoid leakage of liquid therethrough when engaged with
the brush.
The brush 30, types of which are sometimes referred to as a "squeegee", has a
kinked handle 32 and a head 34 pivotally connected thereto. The head 34 has a spongy,
liquid absorbing portion 36 for wetting and cleaning a dirty windshield, and an opposed
wiper portion 38, typically made of a flexible, non-scratching rubber material, for wiping
the liquid from the cleaned windshield.
In its expanded, operative form (figs.2&3), the brush is ready for cleaning a dirty
windshield in a known manner. Once the windshield is cleaned, the brush may be returned
to the container by twisting the head 34 about swivel 40 into a position roughly parallel
with the handle, and inserting the head and a part of the handle into the bottle as shown in
fig. 1. A cap 42 is then screwed over the handle and neck portion (as shown in fig. 1) to
sealingly secure the brush in the container. The cap may be integral with or separate from
- CA 02212030 1997-08-01
.~
the handle, as desired. A snap-type connection may also be used in place of the screw top
shown.
When the brush sits in the container as show in fig. 1, the spongy portion 36 is in
contact with the liquid, and so remains moist. Shaking of the container will also help the
liquid to dislodge dirt from the spongy potion. When further cleaning of a windshield is
desired, the reverse of the above procedure is followed, namely the brush is unscrewed
from the container, the brush is removed and the head is twisted into the operative
position. If need be, the swivel may be of a type which can be finger tightened to hold the
head in a desired position.
The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense
and variations to the specific configurations described may be apparent to skilled persons
in adapting the present invention to specific applications. Such variations are intended to
form part of the present invention insofar as they are within the spirit and scope of the
claims below.
