SPRING-BIASED PIVOTING SQUEEGEE

RACLETTES A VITRE PIVOTANTE SOLLICITEE PAR UN RESSORT

English Abstract

A spring-biased pivoting squeegee to a handle. The head (12) is movable
between a rest position, in which the head is angularly displaced from the
handle (16) and a biased position in which the head (12), handle (16), and
wiping blade (14) are in linear relation. In the biased position, the wiping
blade is maintained at an optimum angle for cleaning a glass surface even with
the handle held generally perpendicular to the glass. A spring (60) is fully
contained in the head and biases the head toward the rest position. A tension
adjustment knob (80) in the head permits adjustment of the spring to a tension
level according to the ergonomic requirements of a user. In a second
embodiment of the invention an improved locking mechanism comprises a pivoting
lock lever (260) held against the top wall (262) of a recess in the head (202)
of the squeegee by a retainer (278). The lock lever (260) is movable between
locked and released positions. In the locked position stop surfaces (276) on
the lock lever abut with upward facing ledges (256) of side plates (250) on
the forward portion of the main handle body (208) to lock the head (202) in
the biased position. Two springs (306) have forward projections (308) which
rest in downwardly biased engagement on a spring pull nut (304). The spring
pull nut is adjustable by turning an adjustment knob (294) to modify the
tension on the springs. Slip-resistant surfaces on the handle (208) and head
(202) improve handling of the squeegee.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne une raclette à vitre sollicitée par un ressort comprenant une poignée. Une tête (12) est mobile entre une position de repos dans laquelle ladite tête se déplace de manière angulaire à partir de la poignée (16) et une position de sollicitation dans laquelle la tête (12), la poignée (16) et une lame de nettoyage (14) sont en relation linéaire. En position de sollicitation, la lame de nettoyage est maintenue à un angle optimum afin de nettoyer une surface de vitre même lorsque la poignée est maintenue perpendiculaire à la vitre. Un ressort (60) est contenu en totalité dans la tête et la sollicite vers la position de repos. Un bouton de réglage de tension (80) placé dans la tête permet de régler le ressort à un niveau de tension qui dépend des besoins ergonomiques d'un utilisateur. Dans un second mode de réalisation de l'invention, un mécanisme de verrouillage amélioré comprend un levier de verrouillage pivotant (260) maintenu contre la paroi supérieure (262) d'un évidement ménagé dans la tête (202) de la raclette par un élément de retenue (278). Ce levier de verrouillage (260) se déplace d'une position verrouillée à une position libérée. En position verrouillée, les surfaces de butée (276) du levier de verrouillage viennent en about avec des pièces d'appui (256) de plaques latérales (250) orientées vers le haut, sur la partie avant du corps principal de poignée (208) afin de verrouiller la tête (202) en position de sollicitation. Deux ressorts (306) comprennent des saillies avant (308) coopérant par sollicitation vers le bas avec un écrou tension de ressort. (304) Ledit écrou de tension de ressort peut être réglé par pivotement d'un bouton de réglage (294) afin de modifier la tension dudit ressort. Des surfaces antiglissantes sur la poignée (208) et sur la tête (202) permettent d'améliorer la manipulation de la raclette à vitre.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:



1. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion,
a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
wiping
blade,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
and
a spring extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position.

2. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein said wiping blade is mounted on said
forward portion transversely to said head.

3. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein in said biased position said head is
generally
disposed in linear relation with said handle.

4. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein said wiping blade extends radially from and

forward of said axis.

5. The squeegee of claim 4 wherein said wiping blade is spaced from said axis.

6. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein said spring is generally contained within
said
head.

7. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein when said head is located in said biased
position, said wiping blade, said head and said handle are generally in planar

alignment.



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8. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion, a lower surface and a cavity in said lower
surface,
a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion,
a handle having a forward-facing surface, said handle pivotally attached to
said head about an axis parallel with said wiping blade,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
and
a spring extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position, and
a lever embedded in said cavity, said lever having a bottom edge in generally
flush disposition with said lower surface of said head, said lever pivotally
attached to
said head about an axis generally perpendicular to said head, said lever
movable
between a locking position and an unlocked position, in said locking position
said
lever in compressed abutment with said forward-facing surface for holding said
head
in said biased position against pressure bearing transversely on said head,
and in said
unlocked position, said lever angularly displaced from said locking position
and
disengaged from said forward-facing surface.

9. The squeegee of claim 1 further comprising:
means for limiting angular displacement of said head in said biased position
relative to said handle to a position in which said head, said wiping blade
and said
handle are in general planar relation.

10. The squeegee of claim 1 wherein in said rest position said head has an
angular
displacement relative to said handle of about thirty-five degrees.

11. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion,



17



a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
wiping
blade,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
a spring having at least two coils and a U-shaped forward projection extending

from said axis, said spring for urging said head towards said rest position,
said spring
having at least one rearward projection extending from said at least one coil,
said
rearward projection generally perpendicular to said U-shaped projection, said
rearward projection lodged against said handle, and
a pivot pin disposed in said at least two coils, said handle pivotally
attached at
said axis to said head about said pivot pin.

12. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion,
a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
wiping
blade,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,

a spring extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position, and
means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

13. The squeegee of claim 12 wherein said head has a generally planar geometry

and includes a transversely extending internal shaft, said shaft having at
least two
opposed walls in generally parallel relation,
said spring has a U-shaped forward projection extending from said axis, and
said means for adjusting comprises a tension adjustment knob rotatably
disposed on said head, a linear projection extending from said tension
adjustment



18



knob into said internal shaft, and a tension adjustment nut freely disposed in
said shaft
and in threaded engagement with said linear projection, said tension
adjustment nut
having at least two generally parallel opposite edges disposed in sufficient
proximity
to said opposed walls of said shaft that said nut is prevented from rotating,
and said
U-shaped projection of said spring is interposed between said tension
adjustment
knob and said tension adjustment nut and biased against said tension
adjustment nut,
such that rotation of said tension adjustment knob rotates said linear
projection and
varies the distance between said tension adjustment knob and said tension
adjustment
nut for adjusting the tension of said spring.

14. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a general planar geometry and a forward portion,

a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion transversely to said head, said

blade having a planar leading edge portion,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
wiping
blade, said wiping blade extending radially from and forward of said axis,
said
leading edge portion of said blade disposed in planar alignment with said
axis,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
in said biased position said head, said wiping blade and said handle in
general planar
relation, and
a spring generally contained within said head, said spring having a forward
projection extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position.
15. A squeegee comprising:
said head having a forward portion, a lower surface and a recess in said lower

surface,
a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion transversely to said head,
a handle having a forward-facing surface, said handle pivotally attached to
said head about an axis parallel with said wiping blade, said wiping blade
extending
radially from and forward of said axis,



19



said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
with said head in said biased position said wiping blade, said head and said
handle are
generally disposed in linear relation,
a lever pivotally attached to said head in said recess about an axis
perpendicular to said head, said lever having a bottom edge in generally flush

disposition with said lower surface of said head, said lever movable between a
locking
position and an unlocked position, in said locking position said lever in
compressed
abutment with said forward-facing surface for holding said head in said biased

position, and in said unlocked position said lever angularly displaced from
said
locking position and disengaged from said forward-facing surface, and
a spring generally contained within said head, said spring having a forward
projection extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position.
16. The squeegee of claim 15 further comprising:
a pivot pin, said handle pivotally attached at said axis to said head about
said
pivot pin,
wherein said spring has at least one coil, said pivot pin is disposed in said
at
least one coil.

17. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion, said head having a generally planar geometry
and including a transversely extending internal shaft, said shaft having at
least two
opposed walls in generally parallel relation,

a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion transversely to said head,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
wiping
blade, said wiping blade extending radially from and forward of said axis,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
with said head in said biased position said wiping blade, said head, and said
handle
are generally disposed in linear relation, and






a spring generally contained within said head, said spring having a U-shaped
forward projection extending from said axis for urging said head towards said
rest
postion,
and
a tension adjustment knob rotatably disposed on said head, a linear projection

extending from said tension adjustment knob into said internal shaft, and a
tension
adjustment nut freely disposed in said shaft and in threaded engagement with
said
linear projection, said tension adjustment nut having at least two generally
parallel
opposite edges disposed in sufficient proximity to said opposed walls of said
shaft
that said nut is prevented from rotating, and said U-shaped projection of said
spring
interposed between said tension adjustment knob and said tension adjustment
nut and
biased against said tension adjustment nut, such that rotation of said tension

adjustment knob turns said linear projection and varies the distance between
said
tension adjustment knob and said tension adjustment nut for adjusting the
tension of
said spring.

18. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a generally planar geometry, a forward portion, a lower surface,

a recess in said lower surface, and a transversely extending internal shaft,
said shaft
having at least two opposed walls in generally parallel relation,

a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion transversely to said head,
a pivot pin,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about said pivot pin forming an axis
parallel with said wiping blade, said wiping blade extending radially from and

forward of said axis, said handle having a forward-facing surface,
said head movable about said axis relative to said handle between a rest
position and a biased position, said head in said rest position angularly
displaced
relative to said handle, and when said head is in said biased position said
wiping
blade, said head and said handle are in general linear relation,
a spring having at least two coils and a forward projection extending from
said
axis, said pivot pin disposed in said at least two coils, and said spring
generally
contained within said head for urging said head towards said rest position,



21



a lever pivotally attached to said head in said recess about an axis
perpendicular to said head, said lever having a bottom edge in generally flush

disposition with said lower surface of said head, said lever movable between a
locking
position and an unlocked position, in said locking position said lever in
compressed
abutment with said forward-facing surface for holding said head in said biased

position, and in said unlocked position said lever angularly displaced from
said
locking position and disengaged from said forward-facing surface, and
a tension adjustment knob rotatably disposed on said head, a linear projection

extending from said tension adjustment knob into said internal shaft, and a
tension
adjustment nut freely disposed in said shaft and in threaded engagement with
said
linear projection, said tension adjustment nut having at least two generally
parallel
opposite edges disposed in sufficient proximity to said opposed walls of said
shaft
that said nut is prevented from rotating, and said forward projection of said
spring
interposed between said tension adjustment knob and said tension adjustment
nut and
biased against said tension adjustment nut, such that rotation of said tension

adjustment knob turns said linear projection and varies the distance between
said
tension adjustment knob and said tension adjustment nut for adjusting the
tension of
said spring.

19. The squeegee of claim 1 further comprising:

said head having a downwardly facing recess and a top wall bounding said
recess,
at least one spring disposed about said axis, said at least one spring having
a
forward projection extending from said axis, said forward projection affixed
to the
head and biased towards the rest position,
said handle having two spaced apart side plates in perpendicular disposition
relative to said axis, each said side plate having a recessed forward edge
portion
defining a ledge facing said top wall of said recess,
a lock lever disposed in said recess of said head, said lock lever having a
crossbar and a pair of spaced apart legs depending from said crossbar, said
legs each
having a laterally extending base portion having a stop surface facing away
from said
top wall of said recess, and



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a retainer holding said lock lever against said top wall of said recess,
said lock lever pivotable about said crossbar between a locked position and a
released position, wherein in said locked position said head is in said biased
position
and said base portion of said legs of said lock lever are interposed between
said top
wall of the recess and said ledges of said side plates, said interposition
disposing said
ledges of said side plates in biased abutment with said stop surfaces.

20. The squeegee of claim 19 wherein said at least one spring comprises two
springs.

21. The squeegee of claim 19 wherein said lock lever includes each of said
legs
having a distal end and a bridge extending between said distal ends of said
legs, said
bridge for manual manipulation of said lock lever.

22. The squeegee of claim 19 wherein said recessed forward edge portions of
said
side plates each have a lower edge intersecting with said ledge, and

said base portions of said legs of said lock lever each have a rear edge for
abutment with said lower edge when said lock lever is in said locked position,
said
stop surface of said base portion of each said leg aligned with a plane
disposed
acutely to said rear edge such that biased abutment of said stop surfaces and
said
ledges urges said rear edges of said base portions of said legs towards said
lower
edges of said recessed forward edge portions of said side plates.

23. The squeegee of claim 19 wherein said forward projection of said at least
one
spring is interposed between said legs of said lock lever.

24. The squeegee of claim 19 wherein said retainer has a front edge, side
edges
orthogonal to said front edge defining between them a width of said retainer,
and an
upward opening channel opposite said front edge,
said top wall of said recess has a downwardly depending forward flange and
two side flanges orthogonal to said forward flange, said side flanges spaced
apart a
distance approximately equivalent to said width of said retainer, said forward
and side



23




flanges each having at least one inwardly extending tab spaced from said top
wall,
said front edge of said retainer disposed against said forward flange, said
side edges
of said retainer disposed against said side flanges, and said front and side
edges
disposed between said top wall and said tabs such that said retainer is held
against
said top wall of said recess and between said flanges so that said flanges
restrict
rotation of said retainer, and
said crossbar of said lock lever is retained in said channel against said top
wall.

25. The squeegee of claim 24 wherein said forward flange extends in parallel
relation to said axis and said front edge of said retainer is linear.

26. The squeegee of claim 24 further comprising:

said retainer having an aperture between said side edges,
said top wall of said head having a hole in concentric alignment with said
aperture, and
a post attached to said head, said post mutually received in said aperture and
in
said hole transversely to said top wall for restricting lateral movement of
said retainer
relative to said top wall.

27. The squeegee of claim 26 further comprising:
a knob and a spring pull nut, said head having a top surface, said knob
rotatably disposed on said top surface, said post attached to and depending
from said
knob, said spring pull nut having a threaded center bore, said post threadedly
inserted
and freely rotatable in said center bore, and each forward projection of said
at least
one springs in biased engagement with said spring pull nut such that rotation
of said
knob moves said spring pull nut towards or away from said top wall to increase
or
decrease the tension of said at least one spring.

28. The squeegee of claim 1 further comprising:
said head having a downwardly facing recess and a top wall bounding said
recess,



24



said spring disposed about said axis, said spring having a forward projection
affixed to said head and biased towards said rest position,
said handle having two spaced apart side plates in perpendicular disposition
relative to said axis, each said side plate having a recessed forward edge
portion
defining a ledge facing said top wall of the recess,
a lock lever disposed in said recess of said head, said lock lever having a
crossbar and a pair of spaced apart legs depending from said crossbar, said
legs each
having a laterally extending base portion having a stop surface facing away
from said
top wall of said recess, and
a retainer having a front edge, side edges orthogonal to said front edge
defining between them a width of said retainer, and an upward opening channel
opposite said front edge,
said top wall of said recess having a downwardly depending forward flange
and two side flanges orthogonal to said forward flange, said side flanges
spaced apart
a distance approximately equivalent tosaid width of said retainer, said
forward and
side flanges each having at least one inwardly extending tab spaced from said
top
wall, said front edge of said retainer disposed against said forward flange,
said side
edges of said retainer disposed against said side flanges, and said front and
side edges
disposed between said top wall and said tabs such that said retainer is held
against
said top wall of said recess and between said flanges and so that said flanges
restrict
rotation of said retainer,
said crossbar of said lock lever retained in said channel against said top
wall,
and
said lock lever pivotable about said crossbar between a locked position and a
released position, wherein in said locked position said head is in said biased
position
and said base portions of said legs of said lock lever are interposed between
said top
wall of said recess and said ledges of said side plates, said interposition
disposing said
ledges of said side plates in biased abutment with said stop surfaces of said
lock lever.
29. The squeegee of claim 28 further comprising:
said legs each having a distal end,
a bridge extending between said distal ends of said legs,






at least two springs disposed about the axis, said springs each having a
forward projection extending from said axis and interposed between said legs
of said
lock lever,
an aperture between said side edges, said forward flange extending in parallel

relation to said axis,
and
a knob and a spring pull nut, said knob rotatably disposed on said top surface

of said head, a post attached to and depending from said knob, said post
transversely
received in said aperture of said retainer and in said hole of said top wall
for
restricting lateral movement of said retainer relative to said top wall, said
spring pull
nut having a threaded center bore, said post threadedly inserted and freely
rotatable in
said center bore, each forward projection of said at least two springs in
biased
engagement with said spring pull nut such that rotation of said knob moves
said
spring pull nut towards or away from said top wall to increase or decrease the
tension
of said at least two springs.

30. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a laterally extending forward portion, a downward facing
recess, and a top wall bounding said recess, said forward portion for mounting
a
wiping blade,
a handle, said head pivotally attached to said handle about an axis parallel
with
said forward portion, said handle having two spaced apart side plates in
perpendicular
disposition relative to said axis, each said plate having a recessed forward
edge
portion defining a ledge facing said top wall of said recess,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
at least one spring disposed about said axis, said spring having a forward
projection extending from said axis, said forward projection affixed to said
head and
biased towards said rest position,
a lock lever disposed in said recess of said head, said lock lever having a
crossbar, and a pair of spaced apart legs depending from said crossbar, said
legs each



26



having a laterally extending base portion having a stop surface facing away
from said
top wall of said recess, and
a retainer holding said lock lever against said top wall of said recess,
said lock lever pivotable about said crossbar between a locked position and a
released position, wherein in said locked position said head is in said biased
position
and said base portion of said legs of said lock lever are interposed between
said top
wall of said recess and said ledges of said side plates, said interposition
disposing said
ledges of said side plates in biased abutment with said stop surfaces of said
lock lever.
31. The squeegee of claim 30 further comprising:
a wiping blade mounted on said forward portion transversely to said handle.
32. The squeegee of claim 30 wherein said at least one spring comprises two
springs.

33. The squeegee of claim 30 wherein said head has a bottom side,
each said leg of said lock lever has a distal end, and
said lock lever includes a bridge extending between said distal ends of said
legs, said bridge exposed on said bottom side for manual manipulation of said
lock
lever.

34. The squeegee of claim 30 wherein said recessed forward edge portions each
have a forward facing edge intersecting with said ledge, and
said base portions of said legs of said lock lever each have a rear edge for
abutment with said forward facing edge when said lock lever is in said locked
position, said stop surface of said base portion of each said leg intersecting
acutely
with said rear edge such that biased abutment of said stop surfaces and said
ledges
biases said rear edges of said legs towards said forward facing edges of said
recessed
forward edge portions of said side plates.

35. The squeegee of claim 30 wherein said forward projection of said at least
one
spring is interposed between said legs of said lock lever.



27




36. The squeegee of claim 30 wherein said retainer has a front edge, side
edges
orthogonal to said front edge defining between them a width of said retainer,
and an
upward opening channel opposite said forward edge,

said top wall of said recess having a downwardly facing forward flange and
two side flanges orthogonal to said forward flange, said side flanges spaced
apart a
distance approximately equivalent to said width, said forward and side flanges
each
having at least one inwardly extending tab spaced from said top wall, said
front edge
of said retainer disposed against said forward flange, said side edges of said
retainer
disposed against said side flanges, and said front and side edges are disposed
between
said top wall and said tabs such that said retainer is held against said top
wall of said
recess and between said flanges and so that said flanges restrict rotation of
said
retainer, and
said crossbar of said lock lever is retained in said channel against said top
wall.

37. The squeegee of claim 36 wherein said forward flange extends in parallel
relation to said axis and said front edge of said retainer is linear.

38. The squeegee of claim 36 further comprising:
said retainer having an aperture between said side edges,

said top wall of said head having a hole concentrically aligned with said
aperture,
a post mutually received in said aperture and in said hole transversely to
said
top wall for restricting lateral movement of said retainer relative to said
top wall,
said post attached to said head.

39. The squeegee of claim 38 further comprising:
a knob and a spring pull nut, said head having a top surface, said knob
rotatably disposed on said top surface, said post attached to and depending
from said
knob, said spring pull nut having a threaded center bore, said post threadedly
inserted
and freely rotatable in said center bore, and each forward projection of said
at least



28



one springs in biased engagement with said spring pull nut such that rotation
of said
knob moves said spring pull nut towards or away from said top wall to increase
or
decrease the tension of said at least one spring.

40. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a laterally extending forward portion, a downward facing
recess, and a top wall bounding said recess, said forward portion for mounting
a
wiping blade,

a handle, said head pivotally attached to said handle about an axis parallel
with
said forward portion, said handle having two spaced apart side plates in
perpendicular
disposition relative to said axis, each said plate having a recessed forward
edge
portion defining a ledge facing said top wall of said recess,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
at least one spring disposed about said axis, said spring having a forward
projection extending from said axis, said forward projection affixed to said
head and
biased towards said rest position,
a lock lever disposed in said recess of said head, said lock lever having a
crossbar, and a pair of spaced apart legs depending from said crossbar, said
legs each
having a laterally extending base portion having a stop surface facing away
from said
top wall of said recess, and
a retainer having a front edge, side edges orthogonal to said front edge, and
an
upward opening channel opposite said front edge,
said top wall of said recess having a downwardly facing forward flange and
two side flanges orthogonal to said forward flange, said side flanges spaced
apart a
distance approximately equivalent to the distance between said side edges of
said
retainer, said forward and side flanges each having at least one inwardly
extending tab
spaced from said top wall, said front edge of said retainer disposed against
said
forward flange, said side edges of said retainer disposed against said side
flanges, and
said front and side edges disposed between said top wall and said tabs such
that said



29



retainer is held against said top wall of said recess and between said flanges
and so
that said flanges restrict rotation of said retainer,
said crossbar of said lock lever retained in said channel against said top
wall,
and
said lock lever pivotable about said crossbar between a locked position and a
released position, wherein in said locked position said head is in said biased
position
and said base portion of said legs of said lock lever are interposed between
said top
wall of said recess and said ledges of said side plates, said interposition
disposing said
ledges of said side plates in biased abutment with said stop surfaces of said
lock lever.

41. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a laterally extending forward portion, a downward facing
recess, a top wall bounding said recess, and a top surface, said forward
portion for
mounting a wiping blade,
a handle, said head pivotally attached to said handle about an axis parallel
with
said forward portion, said handle having two spaced apart side plates in
perpendicular
disposition relative to said axis, each said plate having a recessed forward
edge
portion defining a ledge facing said top wall of said recess,
said head movable about said axis between a rest position and a biased
position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative to said
handle, and
said head in said biased position disposed in general planar relation with
said handle,
a lock lever disposed in said recess of said head, said lock lever having a
crossbar, a pair of spaced apart legs depending from said crossbar, and a
bridge, said
legs each having a distal end, said bridge extending between said distal ends
of said
legs, and said legs each having a laterally extending base portion having a
stop
surface facing away from said top wall of said recess,
at least two springs disposed about said axis, said springs each having a
forward projection extending from said axis and interposed between said legs
of said
lock lever,
a retainer having a front edge, side edges orthogonal to said front edge
defining between them a width of said retainer, an aperture between said side
edges,
and an upward opening channel opposite said front edge,





said top wall of said head having a downwardly facing forward flange, said
forward flange extending in parallel relation to said axis, said top wall
further having
two side flanges orthogonal to said forward flange, said side flanges spaced
apart by
approximately said width of said retainer, said forward and side flanges each
having
at least one inwardly extending tab spaced from said top wall, said front edge
of said
retainer disposed against said forward flange, said side edges of said
retainer disposed
against said side flanges, and said front and side edges disposed between said
top wall
and said tabs such that said retainer is held against said top wall of said
recess and
between said flanges and so that said flanges restrict rotation of said
retainer,
said crossbar of said lock lever retained in said channel against said top
wall,
and
said lock lever pivotable about said crossbar between a locked position and a
released position, wherein in said locked position said head is in said biased
position
and said base portion of said legs of said lock lever are interposed between
said top
wall of said recess and said ledges of said side plates, said interposition
disposing said
ledges of said side plates in biased abutment with said stop surfaces of said
lock lever,
and
a knob and a spring pull nut, said knob rotatably disposed on said top surface

of said head, a post attached to and depending from said knob, said post
transversely
received in said aperture of said retainer and in said hole of said top wall
for
restricting lateral movement of said retainer relative to said top wall, said
spring pull
nut having a threaded center bore, said post threadedly inserted and freely
rotatable in
said center bore, each forward projection of said at least two springs in
biased
engagement with said spring pull nut such that rotation of said knob moves
said
spring pull nut towards or away from said top wall to increase or decrease the
tension
of said at least two springs.


42. A squeegee comprising:
a head having a forward portion for holding a wiping blade,
a handle pivotally attached to said head about an axis parallel with said
forward portion, said head movable about said axis between a rest position and
a
biased position, said head in said rest position angularly displaced relative
to said

31


handle, and said head in said biased position disposed in general planar
relation with
said handle,
a spring extending from said axis for urging said head towards said rest
position,

said head having two oppositely facing slip-resistant side surfaces, said slip-

resistant side surfaces for ergonomic engagement with a thumb and opposing
finger
during use of the squeegee, and
said handle having a back end, a slip-resistant top surface and a slip-
resistant
bottom surface, said slip-resistant bottom surface extending towards said back
end
further than said slip-resistant top surface, said slip-resistant top surface
and slip-
resistant bottom surface for reducing slippage upon downward pressure bearing
on
said top surface by a palm and simultaneous upward pressure on said bottom
surface
by one or more fingers for moving said head from said rest position to said
biased
position against the biasing force of said spring.

43. The squeegee of claim 42 wherein said slip-resistant side surfaces each
comprise overmolding side inserts, said slip-resistant top surface comprises
an
overmolding top insert, and said slip-resistant bottom surface comprises an
overmolding bottom insert.

44. The squeegee of claim 43 wherein said overmolding side inserts each have
an
outward facing concave shape.

32

Description

CA 02524657 2005-11-01
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SPRING-BIASED PIVOTING SQUEEGEE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to squeegees and in particular to a
squeegee
having a head, handle and wiping blade which can be moved into general linear
relation for cleaning glass surfaces, even surfaces located in recessed
corners.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Squeegees are widely used to clean windows quickly and effectively.
Generally the cleaning process begins with wetting the window surface with
water or
a cleaning solution. The squeegee is then used to wipe off the water or
cleaning
solution and any accumulated dirt or dust leaving the window surface clean.
When
performed expertly, a movement sometimes known as the "butterfly stroke" is
used in
which the squeegee's wiping blade is initially placed along the edge of one
corner of
the window; then the entire surface of the window is wiped off in a continuous
back-
and-forth swirling motion from the top to the bottom of the window without
removing
the wiping blade from the surface, finishing the motion by drawing the blade
to the
edge of another corner. With practice, this motion can be performed with
considerable efficiency., When numerous windows are to be cleaned at one time,
such as all the windows in a large office building or, increasingly, in many
residential
applications, proficient cleaning of each window becomes important.
[0003] With long experience it has been found that the wiping blade will most
effectively wipe a surface clean if it is maintained within a relatively
narrow range of
acute angles relative to the surface. Failure to swipe the surface at an
optimal angle
within that range will lead to streaking and visibly unsatisfactory results.
In order to
comfortably handle the squeegee and maintain the wiping blade at an optimal
angle,
squeegees are typically constructed with the blade mounted at an angle
relative to
the handle of the squeegee, as indicated in U.S. Patent No. 2,123,638, issued
to
Ettore Steccone in 1938. More precisely, the blade is mounted on a head which
is
generally in planar alignment with the blade, and the head is angularly
displaced
relative to the handle. However, this conventional construction creates a
problem
when cleaning recessed windows.
[0004] A common architectural feature calls for windows to be recessed into a
window frame or to be set immediately adjacent to a perpendicular wall. If the
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window is recessed more than a few inches, or set next to a wall, wiping off
the entire
window in a continuous stroke as described above may not be possible, because
the
handle will butt against the adjacent window frame or wall. When this happens,
the
conventional practice is to wipe the small section of window clean with a
cloth.
Alternatively, the window cleaner may remove the squeegee from the window,
wipe
the blade clean, reposition the squeegee so that the blade may be applied
again to
the window edge adjacent the frame or wall, and then finish wiping the window
clean
with a second stroke. Either alternative is less efficient than wiping a
window clean
in a single continuous motion and may produce streaking.
[0005] A variation of the problem arises when cleaning windows using a
squeegee
mounted on a pole. Poles are used whenever the height of the window is great
enough that it cannot be reached easily without a pole. Typically cleaning a
tall
window with a squeegee mounted on a pole involves performing several vertical
strokes starting from the top of the window moving down to the bottom. If the
bottom
of the window is near ground level, the angle of the squeegee to the handle
makes it
impossible to hold the wiping blade at an optimal cleaning angle relative to
the
window surface. Therefore, the squeegee must be removed from the window and
the window cleaner must move to a new position which permits the squeegee to
be
reapplied at a proper angle to the window, or the bottom of the window must be
finished with close-up work using a hand-held squeegee.
[0006] One attempt to solve this problem is described in U.S. Patent Number
5,175,902 to Samuelsson, which discloses a squeegee device including a
squeegee
blade mount which is pivotally attached to and disposed between the distal
ends of a
pair of laterally spaced apart fingers extending from a distal end of a
fitting. A handle
is attached to the other end of the fitting. A U-shaped kicker arm is carried
on the
back side of the mount. A squeegee blade is held on the front side of the
mount.
The mount is biased to a normal position by a pair of springs extending
between the
kicker arm and the pair of fingers. When the squeegee blade is drawn along the
surface of a window, as it approaches an abutting wall, window frame or window
ledge, the kicker arm engages the abutment and orbits the mount, consequently
driving the blade through an arc relative to the handle and thereby
accelerating
movement of the wiper blade to complete the stroke in the direction of the
abutment.

2


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Although Samuelsson reorients the wiper blade with respect to the handle, the
device appears to be workable only on windows that are not deeply recessed.
The
reorientation of the blade to the handle also may cause an undesirable
reduction in
the cleaning effectiveness of the squeegee blade as it passes through the
accelerating movement. Another practical difficulty is that the kicker arm,
mount, and
dual fingers project from the otherwise generally contained outline of the
squeegee
and may interfere with or become tangled up in other equipment. Finally, the
device
is not contained within the body of a standard squeegee; it is a separate
device that
must be specially mounted to the head of a squeegee and adds another item to
the
inventory of equipment that a window washer must carry.
[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved squeegee that maintains the
angle
of the wiping blade to the glass in a recessed window or a window directly
adjacent
to a wall, in which the outline of the device is generally smooth and
uncluttered.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A spring-biased pivoting squeegee provides a wiping blade transversely
mounted on the forward portion of the head of a squeegee. A handle is
pivotally
attached to a back portion of the head about a pivot pin which forms an axis
parallel
to the wiping blade. The head is movable relative to the handle about the
pivot pin
between a rest position and a biased position. In the rest position the head
is
angularly displaced relative to the handle at an angle which positions the
head and
wiping blade at an angle conventionally found in prior art squeegees. In the
biased
position the head is in linear disposition with the handle thus positioning
the wiping
blade, head, and handle in general planar relation.
[0009] A spring having dual coils, both of which are lobped around the pivot
pin
which joins the handle and head, is fully contained inside the head of the
squeegee.
Rearward projections of the spring are biased against an internal wall of the
handle,
and a U-shaped projection extending forward from the pivot pin into the head
biases
the head toward the rest position. The spring is set at a tension such that,
under
normal usage, the head and, hence, the wiping blade, are maintained at an
angle
relative to the handle; however, the tension is low enough such that, without
ever
removing the blade from contact with the glass surface, the head and wiping
blade
may be moved to the biased position by pressing down on the handle. Preferably

3


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the head and handle are provided with slip-resistant inserts on the head for
gripping
by the thumb and an opposing finger, and on the handle for gripping by the
palm of
the hand and fingers wrapped around the handle, to facilitate movement of the
head
between the biased and rest positions. The handle and head are prevented from
over-pivoting beyond planar configuration by abutting surfaces which are
brought into
mutual contact when the head is moved into the biased position.
[0010] A recessed locking lever is pivotally attached to the squeegee head.
The
locking lever is movable about an axis generally perpendicular to the squeegee
head
between a locking position and an unlocked position. In the locking position,
the
lever is in abutting disposition with a stop on the handle. Pressure from the
spring
urges the lever and stop together, effectively locking the head and handle in
the
biased position. The pressure may be relieved by bringing slight backwards
pressure
against the head whereupon the lever may be rotated into the unlocked position
where it is free of any obstructions, thus permitting the head to pivot back
to the rest
position.
[0011] A tension adjustment mechanism permits the spring tension to be
adjusted to
different pressure levels. A tension adjustment knob is provided on the upper
surface of the squeegee head. The tension adjustment knob has a barrel fitting
which sits in a well in the head to retain a knurled top portion above the
upper
surface of the head for manipulation by hand. A linear projection extends from
the
barrel fitting into the head and is in threaded engagement with a square
tension
adjustment nut disposed in a rectangular internal shaft in the head. As the
knob is
turned the nut is prevented from rotating by the walls of the rectangular
shaft.
Therefore, rotation of the knob moves the nut up and down in the shaft. The U-
shaped projection of the spring is disposed around the linear projection and
interposed between the tension adjustment knob and the tension adjustment nut.
Thus, by rotating the tension adjustment knob, the U-shaped projection of the
spring
is lowered or raised in the head by the tension adjustment nut which adjusts
the
spring to a tension level suited to the ergonomic requirements of the user.
[0012] In a second embodiment of the invention the locking mechanism is
modified. A forward portion of the handle has two integral spaced apart
generally
parallel side plates in concentric relation to the pivot pin. Each side plate
includes an

4


CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
arcuate recessed portion, the lower part of which defines an upward facing
ledge. A
generally square-shaped lock lever is disposed in downward dependency from the
top wall of a downward facing recess in the head of the squeegee. The lock
lever is
comprised of a cylindrical crossbar, a pair of legs depending from the
crossbar, and
a bridge extending between the legs opposite the crossbar, the bridge, legs
and
crossbar defining an intermediate opening. Each leg has a laterally extending
base
portion adjacent the crossbar including a stop surface facing downward and
away
from the top wall of the recess. The crossbar of the lock lever is held in
pivotable
disposition against the top wall by a retainer so that the lock lever is free
to pivot
about the crossbar between a locked position and a released position. In the
locked
position, with the head of the squeegee in the biased position relative to the
handle,
the base portions of the legs are interposed between the top wall of the
recess and
the upward facing ledges of the side plates thus disposing the stop surfaces
of the
base portions against the ledges of the side plates to prevent the head from
rotating
from the biased position to the rest position. Pivoting of the lock lever to
the released
position moves the base portions sufficiently to release the head to pivot to
the rest
position.
[0013] The retainer is generally planar and has a forward edge, two side edges
orthogonal to the forward edge spanning the width of the retainer, and an
upward
opening channel opposite the forward edge. A forward flange and two side
flanges
orthogonal to the forward flange depend downwardly from the top wall of the
recess,
the side flanges spaced apart by the width of the retainer. Each of the
flanges has
an inwardly extending tab that is downwardly spaced from the top wall. The
forward
edge of the retainer is held against the forward flange between the top wall
and the
tab on the forward flange. Similarly, the side edges of the retainer are held
against
the inner edges of the side flanges between the top wall and the tabs on the
side
flanges. The retainer is thus held against the top wall between the forward
and side
flanges. The crossbar of the lock lever is held in the retainer's channel
against the
top wall of the recess.
[0014] An adjustment knob is rotatably disposed on the top surface of the
head. A
post depending from the knob is disposed and freely rotatably in a hole in the
top of
the head and in an aperture in the retainer in concentric alignment with the
hole. A


CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
spring pull nut is threadedly attached to the post such that rotation of the
adjustment
knob moves the spring pull nuts towards or away from the adjustment knob. The
retainer is prevented from being rotating in its plane by the post due to the
tight
disposition of its forward and side edges against the forward and side flanges
of the
top wall. In this embodiment two springs are coiled around the axis post. A
forward
projection extends from each spring through the opening in the locking lever.
The
distal end of each spring is downwardly hooked and sits in downwardly biased
engagement in oppositely disposed depressions in the spring pull nut laterally
of the
post. The spring tension is thus adjustable by rotation of the adjustment knob
which
raises and lowers the distal ends of the spring according to a desired comfort
level.
[0015] A spring-biased pivoting squeegee according to the invention can be
used in
the same manner as a prior art squeegee would be used in most situations.
Improved performance is realized when cleaning recessed windows. As the
squeegee is drawn across the window toward an abutting wall or window frame,
the
window washer may cause the head to move into the biased position by
simultaneously pressing down on the wiping blade and forward on the handle,
never
removing the wiping blade from the surface of the glass. Since the wiping
blade, ,
head, and handle are all in planar disposition, the wiping motion can be
continued
toward the abutting wall or frame member to the edge of the glass, rather than
having to remove the wiping blade from and then reapply it to the glass. Thus,
an
entire recessed window may be cleaned in a single continuous motion with a
high
degree of proficiency, leading to substantial time savings in the cleaning
project,
eliminating the need to use additional cleaning implements, and reducing
fatigue.
[0016] An added benefit of the invention relates to the angle of the wiping
blade to
the glass. By maintaining the wiping blade of a squeegee at a slight angle to
the
perpendicular relative to the glass, the cleaning performance of the blade is
superior.
Therefore, the best squeegees include a slight curvature in the wiping blade
mount
which maintains the blade at an optimum cleaning angle. Generally, when
cleaning
a glass surface with a squeegee, an effort is made to hold the squeegee so
that the
wiping blade is retained at the optimum cleaning angle. The present invention
enables the optimum cleaning angle to be retained as the squeegee is moved
toward
the abutting wall or frame of a recessed window, because the angle of the
squeegee

6


CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
head to the window can be maintained by easily altering the angle of the head
to the
handle. The ease in adjusting the angle allows improved performance through a
range of positions and provides ergonomic benefits to the user. Even at the
extreme
edge of a recessed window or in difficult to reach positions, the invention
preserves
the optimum cleaning angle and the safety of the window washer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a spring-biased pivoting squeegee
according to the invention showing the head in the biased position relative to
the
handle.
[0018] Fig 1 B is a top perspective view of the pivoting squeegee of Fig. IA,
but
showing the head in the rest position relative to the handle.
[0019] Fig. 2A is a bottom perspective view of the invention with the wiping
blade
removed, and showing the head in the biased position relative to the handle
and the
locking lever in the unlocked position.
[0020] Fig. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the pivoting squeegee shown in
Fig.
2A, but with the head in the rest position relative to the handle.
[0021] Fig. 2C is an exploded perspective view of a spring-biased pivoting
squeegee
according to the invention.
[0022] Fig. 3A is a side plan view of a pivoting squeegee according to the
invention
with the handle truncated, and showing the head in the biased position
relative to the
handle.
[0023] Fig. 3B is a side plan view of the pivoting squeegee of Fig. 3A,
showing the
head in the rest position relative to the handle.
[0024] Fig. 4A is a bottom plan view of the invention with the handle
truncated and
showing the locking lever in the locked position.
[0025] Fig. 4B is a bottom plan view of the invention shown in Fig. 4A, but
with the
locking lever shown in the unlocked position.
[0026] Fig. 5A is a side elevation view of a pivoting squeegee according to
the
invention, cutaway through the middle of the head to show the spring and
tension
adjustment mechanism and showing the head in the biased position relative to
the
handle.
[0027] Fig. 5B is a side elevation view of the invention similar to that shown
in Fig.
7


CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
5A, but showing the head in the rest position relative to the handle.
[0028] Fig. 6A is a side elevation view of the invention showing the head
cutaway
off-center to show the locking lever in the locked position and showing the
head in
the biased position relative to the handle.
[0029] Fig. 6B is a side elevation view of the invention similar to that shown
in Fig.
6A, but showing the locking lever in the unlocked position and showing the
head in
the rest position relative to the handle.
[0030] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the spring biased pivoting squeegee
according to the invention showing the head in the biased position relative to
the
handle.
[0031] Figure 7B is an exploded view of the squeegee shown in Figure 7A.
[0032] Figures 8A-8C are side, top and bottom views, respectively, of the
squeegee
shown in Figure 7A. The wiping blade, channel and channel clip have been
removed
from Figure 8C to expose the retainer, spring pull nut, and forward
projections of the
two springs.
[0033] Figures 9A-9C are sectional views of the squeegee shown in Figure 7A,
Figure 9A showing the moving of the lock lever between the lock and released
positions as indicated by the arrows, and showing movement 9B showing the
springs
in a lower position and in a higher position indicated by the broken lines,
Figure B
showing the lock lever in the release position, and the forward projections of
the
springs in raised position to increase tension on the spring, and Figure 9C
showing
the head in the rest position relative to the handle, the arrows indicating
movement of
the head between the biased and rest positions.
[0034] Figure 10A is an enlarged sectional bottom view of the head of the
squeegee
shown in Figure 7A showing the retainer inserted between the forward and side
flanges of the head.
[0035] Figure 10B is a side sectional view of the head shown in Figure 10A
taken
along lines 10B-10B. Figure 10C is forward sectional view of the head shown in
Figure 10B taken along lines 10C-10C.
[0036] Figure 11A is a side sectional view of the knuckle of the handle
showing a
close-up of one of the side plates of the knuckle and indicating a slight
inclination of
the upward facing ledge on the forward portion of the side plate.

8


CA 02524657 2008-10-30

[0037] Figure 11 B is a perspective view of the lock lever of the invention.
[0038] Figures 12A and 12B are sid,e and top views respectively of the
squeegee
shown in Figure 7A being held by a hand in a typical manner during use.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
[0039] A spring-biased pivoting squeegee 10 is now described in relation to
the
illustrations according to the invention. A spring-biased pivoting squeegee 10
comprises a head 12 to which is mounted a wiping blade 14 and a handle 16. The
head 12 has a generally planar geometry, a back portion 18, and a forward
portion
20. The wiping blade 14 is mounted on the forward portion 20 generally
transversely
to the head. The wiping_blade has a forward edge or leading edge portion 15.
[0040] The front part of the handle 16 is provided with generally
hemispherical
forward projecting outer plates 30 each having a center aperture 32, best seen
in
Fig. 2C. The back portion of the head is provided with generally hemispherical
rear
projecting inner plates 34 disposed generally perpendicular to the head, each
having
a center opening 36. When the invention is fully assembled, the inner plates
34 on
the head 12 fit cooperatively within and in concentric alignment with the
outer plates
30 of the handle such that the center apertures 32 and center openings 36 are
in
axial alignment. A barrel nut 38 and screw 40, when assembled and inserted in
the
center apertures 32 and center openings 36, form a hinge for pivotal
attachment of
the handle 16 and head 12 around an axis 42 which is parallel to the wiping
blade.
So assembled, the forward edge portion 15 of the wiping blade 14 is disposed
in
planar alignment with axis 42. See Figs. IA and 6A.
[0041] The pivoting head 12 of the squeegee is movable about the axis 42
between
a rest position and a biased position in relation to the handle 16, as seen in
Figs. 3B
and 3A, respectively. The rest position displaces the head 12, and thus the
wiping
blade 14, at an angle relative to the handle so that the wiping blade 14 may
easily be
held at an optimum angle to the glass for cleaning effectiveness. In the art
the
optimum angle is generally known to be about forty degrees, but this could
vary by
perhaps ten degrees. In the rest position, the head 12 is prevented from over-
pivoting to a greater angle by abutment of collar 44 with the bottom edge 46
of one
of the outer plates 30 on the handle 16 as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B and by
direct
abutment of face 48 with shelf 112, as best seen by referring to Figs. 2A, 2C,
5A,

9


CA 02524657 2005-11-02 _._OM. "X / 15 0 8 0

fo-AR 2005
and 5B. Pivoting the head to the biasEd position seen in Fig. 3A positions the
head
in linear alignment with the handle, thus putting the wiping blade, head, and
handle
r

il

9a

i= .:'-.~` :~S i1}uL1S~ d,~`cp:' K ~


CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
in overall planar alignment. The head 12 is prevented from over-pivoting
beyond
linear relation with the handle by juxtaposition of abutting wall 50 on the
handle and
the rear edge 52 of the top of the head 12, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B.
[0042] Reference to Figs. 2A, 2C, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B show spring 60 fully
contained inside the head 12 of the squeegee and biased toward the rest
position.
The spring 60 preferably comprises dual coils 62 which are looped around
barrel nut
38 effectively capturing the spring at the axis of rotation 42. A U-shaped
projection
64 extends forward from coils 62 into head 12. Rearward projections 66 extend
up
generally perpendicular to the U-shaped projection 64 and are held in tension
against and in close proximity to dual backstops 68 of handle 16. Preferably
each
backstop 68 has a concave forward face 70 against which projections 66 are
seated
to restrict lateral movement. The U-shaped forward projection 64 is held in
place in
the head 12 by a tension adjustment mechanism described below.
[0043] Referring to Figs. 2C, 5A and 5B, it is seen that the tension
adjustment
mechanism comprises a tension adjustment knob 80 and tension adjustment nut
82.
The tension adjustment knob 80 has a knurled top 84 to facilitate turning of
the knob.
A barrel fitting 86 extends from the knurled top 84 and is seated in recess 88
in the
top surface 90 of head 12. The recess 88 is set at a depth appropriate to
capture it in
the head 12 against lateral movement, but sufficiently shallow that the
knurled top 84
is retained at an accessible level above the top surface 90 of the head 12. A
linear
projection 92 extends from the barrel fitting 86 through head 12 and is in
threaded
engagement with the tension adjustment nut 82. The U-shaped projection 64 of
the
spring 60 passes around the linear projection 92 between the tension
adjustment
knob 80 and the tension adjustment nut 82 and is biased toward the tension
adjustment nut 82 so that the tension adjustment knob 80 is retained in place
in the
head 12. The tension adjustment nut 82 is freely disposed in a rectangularly
shaped
internal shaft 94 in the head 12 with the squared edges 96 of the nut 82 in
sufficient
proximity to the walls of shaft. 94 that, when the tension adjustment knob 80
is turned,
nut 82 is prevented from turning but travels longitudinally in shaft 94.
Accordingly, as
shown by the shaded lines in Fig. 513, as nut 82 is moved up or down by
clockwise or
counter-clockwise rotation of knob 80, the U-shaped projection 64 of the
spring 60
moves up or down within head 12 to adjust the tension of the spring to a level



CA 02524657 2005-11-01
WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
appropriate to working conditions. Thus the invention provides a squeegee
having
the head 12 angularly displaced from the handle 16 in a rest position and held
in the
rest position by spring tension. The head is movable to a biased position by
pressure
bearing against the spring when needed. The head pivots back to the rest
position
when the pressure is released.
[0044] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the
dual
coiled spring 60 described above, alternative embodiments of the invention
could
provide a single coil spring or a plurality of coiled springs. In other
embodiments, leaf
or helical springs could be adapted to use.
[0045] Referring now to Figs. 2C, 4A, 6A and 6B, a locking lever 100 is
attached to
head 12 but is recessed such that the lever 100 is generally flush with the
lower
surface 102 of the head. Screw 104 is threaded through retention ring 106 of
lever
100 into aperture 108 in head 12 for pivoting movement of the lever 100 about
an
axis perpendicular to head 12. Wave washer 110 is provided between the head of
screw 104 and ring 106 so that, when screw 104 is backed off slightly from a
fully
tightened configuration, lever 100 is rotatable between a locking position and
an
unlocked position, but is held in limited tension sufficient to retain the
lever 100 in the
last position to which it was moved. When the head 12 is moved into the biased
position relative to the handle 16, the locking lever 100 can be moved into
the locking
position seen best in 4A. In the locking position the rear face 116 of the
locking lever
100 is in abutment with the forward-facing surface 120 of cutout 122 in outer
plate 30.
The rear face 116 and forward-facing surface 120 are in compressed abutment
resulting from the bias of the head 12 toward the rest position. The locking
lever 100
is retained in place by head-to-head abutment with forward-facing surface 120
and
lateral abutment with collar 44. However, with slight back pressure on head
12, the
lever 100 can be pivoted from the locking position to the unlocked position
shown in
Fig. 4B. A notch 118 is provided in handle 16 through which the lever passes
as
head 12 pivots to the rest position shown in Fig. 6B.
[0046] With reference now to Figs. 7A and 7B, a second embodiment of the
invention, generally indicated at 200, includes a head 202 and handle 204. The
handle 204 includes a knuckle 206 that is pivotally attached to a main handle
body
208 with a first shoulder nut 210 and cooperating first retaining screw 212 to
permit

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WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
the handle body 208 to swivel laterally relative to the knuckle 206 about a
first axis
coincident with the shoulder nut 210. The head 202 is attached to the knuckle
206 by
a second shoulder nut 214 for pivoting motion about a second axis
perpendicular to
the first axis. The shoulder nut 214 is preferably held in place with a second
retaining
screw 216 and washers 218. It will be readily appreciated that the handle main
body
208, knuckle 206 and head 202 may be pivotally attached by a myriad of
mechanisms known in the art.
[0047] A channel clip 220 is attached to the head 202 by threaded fasteners
224 as
seen in Fig. 7B. A pin retainer 226 is interposed between the head of each
fastener
224 and the squeegee head 202. The pin retainers 226 in turn hold in place a
latch
pin 228 each end of which is embedded in opposing holes 230 in the pin
retainers.
The latch pin 228 is rotatably inserted in pin holes 232 in each side of a
beveled latch
234 such that the latch 234 is pivotally retained against the underside of the
channel
clip 220. See also Figs. 9A-9C. The channel clip 220 includes an upwardly and
forwardly extending flexible tail 236 in biased contact directly with the head
202. The
latch 234 works like a cam and is pivotable between a compressing position
seen in
Fig. 9A-9C and a release position (not illustrated) in which it is pivoted
away from the
head. In the compressing position a wiping blade 238 is tightly held between
the
forward portion 240 of the head and the channel clip 220. Conversely, when the
latch
234 is moved to the release position, tension on the channel clip 220 is
relaxed
sufficiently for the wiper blade 238 to be removed for installation of a new
blade.
[0048] With continuing reference to Fig. 7B, the forward portion of the
knuckle 206
includes two generally parallel side plates 250. The shoulder nut 214 is
inserted
through concentric holes 252 in the side plates 250 to form the axis for
pivoting the
head 202 between biased and rest positions seen respectively in Figs. 9A and
9C.
Each side plate 250 includes a generally arcuate recessed forward portion 254
forming at its lower part an upward facing ledge 256. See Fig. 11. A generally
square-shaped lock lever 260 is attached to the top wall 262 of a downward
facing
recess 264 in the head 240 of the squeegee. The lock lever 260 is comprised of
a
cylindrical crossbar 266, a pair of legs 268 depending from the crossbar, and
a bridge
270 extending between the legs opposite the crossbar. The bridge 270, legs 268
and
crossbar 266 define an intermediate opening 272. Each leg 268 has a base
portion
274 extending laterally adjacent the crossbar. The base portion includes a
stop
surface 276 facing downward and away from the top wall 262 of the recess 264.
The

12


CA 02524657 2008-10-30

crossbar 266 of the lock lever 260 is held in pivotable disposition against
the top wall
262 by a retainer 274 so that the crossbar 266 forms a pivot axis around which
the
lock lever 260 is free to pivot between a locked position as seen in Fig. 9A
and a
released position shown in broken lines in Fig. 9A. In the locked position,
with the
head of the squeegee in the biased position in linear alignment with the
handle as
shown in Figs. 9A and 9B, the base portions 274 of the legs 268 are interposed
between the top wall 262 of the recess 264 and the upward facing iedges 256 of
the
side plates 250 thus disposing the stop surfaces 276 of the base portions 274
against
the ledges 256 of the side plates 250 thereby preventing the head 202 from
rotating
from the biased position to the rest position. In the illustrated embodiment,
each of
the lower parts of the recessed forward portion 254 of the side plates 250 has
a
forward facing edge 275 which intersects with the upward facing ledge 256.
When
the lock lever 260 is in the locked position, the forward facing edge 275 of
the abuts a
rear edge 276 of the lock lever 260. See Fig. 9A. Relative to the pivot axis
of the
lock lever 260, the ledge 256 forms a slightly acute angle as shown in Fig.
11.
Preferably the angle is three degrees, but could range approximately from one
to
fifteen degrees. Biasing the stop surfaces 276 of the lock lever 260 against
the
ledges 256, forces the stop surfaces towards the side plates 250 and into the
intersection of the ledges 256 and forward facing edges 275 to capture the
lock lever
260 against the side plate 250. Upward pressure on the head will relieve the
biasing
pressure of the stop surfaces 276 against the ledges 256 freeing lock lever
260 to be
pivoted to the released position. This in turn moves the base portions 274 of
the lock
lever sufficiently to release the head 202 to pivot to the rest position.
[0049] Referring now to Figs. 10A-10C, the retainer 278 is generally planar
and has
a forward edge or front edge 280, two side edges 282 orthogonal to the forward
edge, and an upward opening channel 284 opposite the forward edge. The two
side
edges 282 span the width of the retainer 278. A forward flange 286 and two
side
flanges 288 orthogonal to the forward flange depend downwardly from the top
wall
262 of the recess 264, the side flanges 288 spaced apart by the width of the
retainer
278. Each of the flanges 282, 284 has an inwardly extending tab that is
downwardly
spaced from the top wall 262. The forward edge 280 of the retainer 278 is held
against the forward flange 286 between the top wall 262 and a side tabs 292 on
the forward

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WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
flange 286. Similarly, the side edges 282 of the retainer are held against the
inner
edges of the side flanges 288 between the top wall 262 and a pair of side tabs
292 on
the side flanges 288. The retainer 278 is thus held against the top wall 262
between
the forward 282 and side flanges 288. As shown in Figs. 9A-9C, the crossbar
266 of
the lock lever 260 is- held in the retainer's channel 284 against the top wall
262 of the
recess 264.
[0050] An adjustment knob 294 is rotatably disposed on the top surface 296 of
the
head 202. A post 298 depending from the knob 292 is disposed and freely
rotatably
in a hole 300 in the top of the head (See Fig. 7B) and in an aperture 302 in
the
retainer 278 (see Fig. 10A) in concentric alignment with the hole 300. A
spring pull
nut 304 is threadedly attached to the post 298 such that rotation of the
adjustment
knob 294 moves the spring pull nut 304 towards or away from the adjustment
knob.
The retainer 278 is prevented from rotating in its own plane from rotation of
the post
298 due to the tight disposition of its forward 277 and side edges 282 against
the
forward 282 and side flanges 288 of the top wall 262. In this embodiment two
springs
306 are coiled around the axis post 214. A forward projection 308 extends from
each
spring 306 through the opening 268 in the lock lever 260. The forward
projection 308
of each spring 306 is downwardly hooked and sits in downwardly biased
engagement
in oppositely disposed depressions 310 in the spring pull nut 304 laterally of
the post
298. The spring tension is thus adjustable by rotation of the adjustment knob
294
raise and lower the forward projections 308 to achieve a desired comfort
level. An e-.
clip 312 attached to the bottom of the post 298 prevents the post from being
unscrewed and detached from the spring pull nut 304.
[0051] With reference now to Figs. 8A-8C, a squeegee according to the
invention
includes strategically placed slip-resistant surfaces on the handle and head
to assist
in manipulation of the device. A top insert 314 on the handle provides a slip-
resistant
top surface for the palm of a hand. See Fig. 12B. A bottom insert 316 provides
a
slip-resistant undersurface for one or more fingers. See Fig. 12A. Two side
inserts
318 provide oppositely facing slip-resistant side surfaces for gripping by a
thumb and
opposing finger or fingers as also shown in Figs. 12A and 12B. The slip-
resistant
surfaces provide improved handling as downward pressure bearing on the top of
the
handle simultaneously with upward pressure on the bottom of the handle is used
to
move the head from the rest position to the biased position. Similarly, the
slip-
resistant surfaces on the head provide improved "finger-tip" control as the
squeegee

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WO 2004/103141 PCT/US2004/015080
is worked from side-to-side over a window. Preferably the slip resistant
surfaces
comprise overmolding inserts set into recesses in the handle and head.
However, it
will be readily appreciated that slip-resistant surfaces would be attached to
the head
and handle surfaces using adhesives with or without recesses.
[0052] In normal operation and in most circumstances the invention should be
used
like a conventional squeegee. After wetting the window surface with water or a
cleaning solution, the squeegee is applied to the surface at an edge of the
window
generally with one end of the squeegee blade disposed in a corner of the
window.
The squeegee's wiping blade is then swept across all parts of the window
surface
where an optimal cleaning angle can be sustained with the head in the rest
position.
However, when cleaning recessed windows, as the squeegee blade is being drawn
to
a corner or edge adjacent an abutting wall, deep window frame or window ledge,
forward pressure on the handle combined with continuing downward pressure on
the
wiping blade will pivot the head of the squeegee from the rest position into
the biased
position. When the head is in the biased position, the wiping blade of the
squeegee
can be maintained at an optimum cleaning angle to the glass surface even if
the
handle, head, and wiping blade are all in linear disposition and the handle is
perpendicular to the window. Therefore, recessed windows can be wiped clean
with
the invention in a single continuous stroke rather than by the inefficient
methods of
removing the squeegee from the window and starting a new stroke or by hand
wiping
the remaining uncleaned portion of the window. In situations where windows
reachable only with poles are also recessed, the invention eliminates the need
to
retract the pole, wipe the blade, then re-extend the pole for a second stroke.
Similarly, when tall ground level windows are being cleaned using pole-mounted
squeegees, the locking lever may set the head in the biased position such that
the
squeegee may be drawn down the entire height of the window to ground level in
a
single stroke while retaining the wiping blade at an optimal angle to the
window
surface.
[0053] There have thus been described and illustrated certain preferred embodi-

ments of a spring-biased pivoting squeegee according to the invention.
Although the
present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly
understood
that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be
taken by way
of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited
only by the
terms of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Representative Drawing