Windshield Washing Device

Cars are ubiquitous, and many drivers like to maintain their cars in good condition. This includes washing the cars. While many people prefer to go to a commercial car washing service, other people like to wash their own cars.

It is difficult, in either case, to adequately clean a car's windshield, especially its interior. Using a commercial window washing liquid and a rag is generally time consuming and leads to streaks and insufficient coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach peripheries of a windshield.

In one embodiment, a window washing device comprises: a base member having a width with a first dimension and a length with a second dimension, the first dimension greater than the second dimension, the base member having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge; a shaft having a distal end coupled to the base member and a proximal end to be held by a user, wherein the shaft is flexible and is fixedly attached to the base member; a clamp adapted on the base member, wherein a cloth is to be held by the clamp such that the cloth covers the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge; and at least one fastener adapted on the base member, wherein a compliant pad is to be held by the at least one fastener, the compliant pad adapted between the base member and the cloth.

In an embodiment, the shaft is fixedly attached to the base member via a plurality of second fasteners. The plurality of second fasteners may be angled fasteners adapted about the distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft may have an open polygonal shape. The open polygonal shape has a terminal portion that is substantially parallel to the first edge. In an embodiment, the shaft and the base member are an integral component.

In an embodiment, the compliant pad comprises an absorbent pad to be held by the at least one fastener comprising a first fastener adapted on a first side of the base member and a second fastener adapted on a second side of the base member. The absorbent pad may be a washable pad. The cloth comprises a microfiber cloth.

In an example, the cloth is to cover the first side of the base member and the second side of the base member to enable a user to clean a windshield by contact of a first portion of the cloth that covers the first side of the base with the windshield and thereafter dry the windshield by contact of a second portion of the cloth that covers the second side of the base with the windshield.

In another example, the cloth is to cover the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge to enable a user to clean a peripheral portion of the windshield by contact of at least a first portion of the cloth that covers the first edge with the peripheral portion of the windshield and a second portion of the cloth that covers the third edge with the peripheral portion of the windshield.

In another embodiment, a windshield washing system comprises: a cloth; a pad; a base having a width between six and nine inches and a height between three and six inches, the base member having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge; a shaft having a distal end coupled to the base, the shaft having a length extending from the base by between twelve and eighteen inches; a handle adapted to a proximal end of the shaft, the handle to be held by a user, wherein the shaft is flexible and is fixedly attached to the base; a clamp adapted on the base, wherein the cloth is to be held by the clamp such that the cloth covers the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge; and at least one fastener adapted on the base, where the pad is to be held by the at least one fastener, the pad adapted between the base and the cloth.

In an embodiment, the cloth covers a first side of the base and a second side of the base opposite to the first side, to enable a user to clean a windshield by contact of a first portion of the cloth that covers the first side of the base with the windshield and thereafter dry the windshield by contact of a second portion of the cloth that covers the second side of the base with the windshield. And, the cloth may cover the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge to enable a user to clean a peripheral portion of a windshield by contact of at least a third portion of the cloth that covers the first edge with the peripheral portion of the windshield and at least a fourth portion of the cloth that covers the third edge with the peripheral portion of the windshield.

In an embodiment, the pad comprises a washable pad and the cloth comprises a microfiber cloth. The cloth may be configured to have a first dimension that is greater than twice the height of the base and a second dimension that is greater than twice the width of the base.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises: base means for supporting a pad means and a cloth means, the base means having a width with a first dimension and a length with a second dimension, the first dimension greater than the second dimension, the base means having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge; handle means for allowing a user to hold the apparatus; shaft means for coupling the to the base means and the handle means; clamp means adapted on the base means, the clamp means for holding the cloth means, the cloth means for washing and drying a surface, the clamp means for holding the cloth means for covering the first side, the second side, the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge; and fastener means adapted on the base means, the fastener means for adapting the pad means about the base means, the pad means adapted between the base means and the cloth means.

In an embodiment, the shaft means is integrated with the base means.

In an example, the cloth means is for covering the first side and the second side for enabling a user to clean the surface comprising a windshield by contacting a first portion of the cloth means that covers the first side with the windshield and thereafter dry the windshield by contacting a second portion of the cloth means that covers the second side with the windshield.

In another example, the cloth means is for covering the first edge, the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge for enabling a user to clean a peripheral portion of the surface comprising a windshield by contacting at least a first portion of the cloth means that covers the first edge with the peripheral portion of the windshield.

In various embodiments, a window washing device is provided to enable a user to fully and adequately clean a vehicle windshield, both internally and externally. Described herein is a particular preferred implementation of a window washing device, but understand that embodiments are not limited to the described implementation. That is, there can be many variations and alternatives to the described implementation. Further, while the illustrated implementation is a prototypical version using certain off-the-shelf and/or commercially available components, embodiments are not limited in this manner. That is, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain components can be customized for mass production. Furthermore, while specific individual components are included in this preferred implementation, in other cases certain components can be integrated together to reduce component counts, costs and so forth.

At a high level, the window washing device is formed of constituent parts, including a base to which a shaft couples. In turn a compliant pad is removably affixed to the base via one or more fasteners. Finally, at least one microfiber cloth is adapted completely around the base (and compliant pad), and is removably affixed via a clamping/locking member.

In operation, to clean a windshield interior, a user may sit in either driver or passenger seat and from this single location use the device to completely clean the entire width and length of the inside of the front windshield (similar cleaning of the rear interior windshield can occur via the back seat). The shape of the base and the shaft, which may be flexible in some embodiments, allows the user to easily also clean peripheral portions of the windshield interior. To this end, all surfaces and edges of the base can be covered by the cloth to allow the user to all such surfaces and edges to clean the windshield. Embodiments may be of particular use to effectively clean and dry the inside of the windshield and the inside of the rear window of a car.

With the cloth and pad arrangement as described herein, a user can both clean and dry windshield and/or windows without changing the cloth. For example, a first side of the cloth can be used to clean the windshield after the windshield is sprayed with a cleaning product (e.g., WINDEX™). After cleaning, the second side of the cloth can be used to dry the windshield. Embodiments also may be used to clean and dry an exterior of windows and windshield, to enable a user to reach across the full width of the windshield.

Notably, the shaft may adapt to the base in a fixed manner, rather than via a pivoting mechanism. In this way, simple hand movement of the shaft by a user enables access into hard-to reach locations such as the crevices between windshield and dashboard, pillars, and/or roof. And by providing a rigid connection between shaft and base rather than a pivoting mechanism, a user is less likely to jam fingers, hands, or wrists against vehicle parts when using the device.

Referring now to, shown is an illustration of a window washing device in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in, deviceis a handheld device that allows a user to clean a windshield, especially the interior of a front windshield and rear windshield. As illustrated, deviceincludes a shaftthat couples to a base member. Basemay be formed of a rigid material, e.g., a plastic or other rigid material. Although shown inas separate components, in other implementations a combined handle and base may be implemented.

In various embodiments, shaftcan be adapted to baseusing a variety of different fasteners. For example, handlemay terminate at a distal end with an irregular shape, e.g., an open generally polygonal shape, that enables adaptation of shaftto basevia multiple fasteners. As shown, a terminal portion of the distal end of shaftmay be affixed to be substantially parallel to a top edge of base. In the illustration of, fastenersmay be implemented as screw-type clamps that substantially surround a circumference of shaftto affix it to base. In other cases, shaftmay be adapted to basevia an adhesive such as glue or other mechanism.

In still further embodiments, shaftand basemay be an integral component, such that the need for fastenersmay be avoided. In such embodiments, the unitary component can be formed via an injection molding process, e.g., using a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, resulting in a device having a potentially flexible shaftand a more rigid base.

Still referring to, note that shaftincludes a handleat a proximal end. Handlemay be part of shaftor may be a separate component and may be glued or screwed onto shaft, and may be shaped to be readily handheld. Although in, handleis illustrated with a semicircular portion, this portion can be optional in some embodiments. In various embodiments, shaftmay be made of a rigid flexible material, e.g., a resilient rubber or other polymer that enables the user to position deviceinto close corners of a windshield aided by the flexibility of shaft.

As further illustrated, basealso provides a location for adaptation of a clamp mechanism. In an embodiment, clamp mechanismcan be implemented with a metal clip (similar to a clipboard clip). As will be described further below, clamp mechanismenables adaptation of a cloth to base. Again while clamp mechanismis shown as a separate component adapted on base, in other cases clamp mechanismand/or another affixing member can be integral with base.

Still further referring to, an additional fastening mechanismalso is adapted on base. In the illustration of, fastenermay be implemented as a hook portion of a VELCRO™ fastener. Such a VELCRO™ fastener may be adapted on both sides of baseto provide a location on which to adapt a pad member. In different implementations, padmay be a commercially available pad, such as a removable mop pad, cloth or other padded component to which loop portions of the VELCRO™ fasteners attach. As further shown in, a cleaning clothmay also be present, which inis shown separate from the remainder of device. In embodiments, clothmay be a microfiber towel, rag or any other cloth material.

Referring now to, shown is a further illustration of a window washing device in accordance with an embodiment. In the illustration of, deviceis shown with pad adapted about base. As discussed above, padmay be implemented as a commercially available absorbent fabric material that may be adapted to fastenerson base, e.g., VELCRO™ fastenersby corresponding fastenerson a backside of pad. Padprovides a relative amount of resilience and durability to enable a cloth that is to be adapted about the pad to make complete and solid contact with a windshield or other surface to be cleaned. As shown in, padmay substantially surround base, but leave available an opening to allow a cloth (e.g., cloth) to be affixed to clamp.

Referring now to, shown is an illustration of a fully formed window washing devicewith a cleaning clothadapted thereto. As shown, clothis adapted about base member(and pad) and is affixed to clamp. Althoughis illustrated with a partial exploded view, understand that clothis folded and arranged such that all sides and edges of baseare covered by cloth, enabling a user to use any and all sides and edges of base memberto be in contact with a windshield or other surface to be cleaned. Especially these edges that have clothadapted thereabout may reach into crevices at an interior peripheral portion of the windshield or other surface.

While embodiments may be dimensioned differently, in a particular implementation a shaft may have a length of between approximately 18 and 24 inches (including a handle). In turn, a base may have a height of between approximately 3 and 6 inches and a width of between approximately 6 and 9 inches. A pad to be adapted about the base may have a height substantially the same as the height of the base, and a width slightly less than twice the width of the base, thereby allowing it to substantially surround the base, but leave at least one edge and a portion of at least one side of the base available for adaptation of a cloth. Such cloth, e.g., a microfiber cloth may have approximate dimensions of 14 inches by 16 inches, and which can be folded appropriately to allow it to cover all surfaces and edges of the base and be adapted thereto. As such, the cloth may be configured to have a first dimension that is greater than twice the height of the base and a second dimension that is greater than twice the width of the base.

Collectively, a window washing system can be formed having a base member as described herein, with a fixedly attached shaft/handle, and associated pad and cloth. In some commercial implementations, the window washing system can be sold as a kit. In some cases, the kit may include multiple pads and/or cloths for a single base/shaft/handle combination. Depending on implementation, one or both of the pad and cloth can be machine washable.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of implementations, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations.