Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade

Abstract

This is a squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade retained by a metal profile, which is equipped with a clamp whose control mechanism allows the user to effortlessly release the cleaning blade and / or the metal profile.

Description

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a squeegee equipped with an easy-to-change cleaning blade.Prior art

[0002] The squeegees referred to in the present invention are those manual tools equipped with a handle that, at one end, supports a structure perpendicular to the handle that supports a scraper blade, where such manual tools are skilfully operated by the user across a flat and smooth glass surface, rendering said surface clean and dry after it has been wet or washed, without requiring any additional steps.

[0003] Squeegees are cleaning devices that take on particular characteristics in the field of professional cleaning.

[0004] In fact, in the professional field, squeegees are devices that must always be maintained in the best possible state to ensure their effectiveness.

[0005] Any small wear and tear or deficiency in the configuration of said professional squeegees results in an unacceptable aesthetic appearance of the work carried out to clean the glass, leaving visible streaks or marks on the treated glass.

[0006] For this purpose, namely to keep the manual cleaning tool in an optimal working condition, the front blade of the tool should have a sharp overhanging edge that rests against the glass surface.

[0007] In fact, over time and with continued use this edge becomes worn and rounded, negating the work done to ensure the glass remains free from any streaks or marks.

[0008] Naturally, professionals are prepared for this, which they consider completely normal due to the wear and tear from continued use and are ready with a spare replacement to substitute the support structure of the worn-out component.

[0009] If this change, with the replacement of the scraper blade, seems insignificant for someone who is not a specialist in the sector, it is very significant for glass cleaning professionals.

[0010] This replacement may also be necessary in the middle of a job that does not allow long breaks in comfortable situations, but instead may occur during a job with tight and limited time constraints times to finish and in very uncomfortable situations.

[0011] Initially, the replacement of the accessory involved the assembly of the front part clamped into a supporting metal profile. In fact, the scraper blade generally consists of a polymeric, resinous or rubbery material, or other materials that do not abrade the glass surface, and which, therefore, do not have a high elastic modulus and due to the length they have, usually a few decimetres, require a supporting structure, often a metal profile.

[0012] For other and various reasons, in terms of dimensions, practicality, and cost-effectiveness, the front blade is now a separate and distinct accessory, or in any case one that can be detached from the metal profile, and one that can therefore be removed from the longitudinal slot of the metal profile, as it is not permanently clamped in place anymore. In fact, the task of this metal profile is not only to impart a straight configuration to the scraper blade, but also to retain it transversally to the direction of insertion within the profile.

[0013] The lack of a stable and fixed connection between the front blade and the metal profile in the longitudinal direction, as a consequence, has resulted in the necessity to ensure the blade does not slide out unexpectedly on its own during cleaning operations. For this reason, some manufacturers of squeegees and related spare parts or even of the blade alone, have introduced an accessory comprised of a metal profile, into which the front blade is inserted, and where the longitudinal profile is equipped at both ends with retaining blocks to hold the blade in place.

[0014] These retaining blocks can be released to allow the blade to be removed longitudinally from the metal profile and replaced with a new one.

[0015] However, it is evident that inserting a blocking element at the ends of the blade somehow makes said tool more cumbersome and limits its manageability, as well as inserting an additional element at a point on the profile that creates an obstruction.

[0016] A different configuration of the squeegee that allows for the easy replacement of the blade provides a kinematic handle for the release and retention of the metal profile together with the blade that it supports.

[0017] Said mechanism therefore has two stable positions, namely a first position for retaining the assembly consisting of the metal profile and the scraper blade supported by it, and a second position for releasing said metal profile and the blade that it supports.

[0018] The change between the two stable positions of said mechanism is carried out by means of a control located on the handle, which is operated by the operator as needed.

[0019] Operationally, to replace the blade the operator must use, assuming they are starting from a condition where it is already being held along with the handle of the metal profile, the control of said mechanism, which opens the clamp holding the profile, releasing the fastening and allowing the profile to be disconnected. Once said support profile of the scraper blade is disconnected from the handle and moved away from it, the operator, after having previously removed the worn blade from the profile, proceeds to insert the new blade starting from one end and continuing along the entire length of the profile. The retaining profile, complete with the new blade, is then re-attached to the handle, inserting said profile into the clamp. The operator, after making sure the profile has been correctly positioned within the profile clamp, uses said mechanism control again to close the clamp's jaws to secure the support, along with the new blade, to the handle and also the scraper blade to the handle. Only at this point can the operator resume cleaning the glass surface with an efficient squeegee.

[0020] It is important to take into account at this point that while the operator holds the tool handle with one hand, with the other hand they must keep the profile in place, remove the worn scraper blade from said profile and place it with the materials to be discarded, then retrieve a new scraper blade and insert it into the new profile keeping it in a horizontal position to prevent the blade from simply sliding out longitudinally due to gravity if it were held vertically. From the above sequence of operations necessary to complete the replacement of the scraper blade, the complexity and time-consuming nature of replacing the scraper blade is obvious. This significant amount of time and effort is exacerbated by the fact that the operator might be in uncomfortable or critical positions.

[0021] For the aforementioned reasons, even a modest improvement that speeds up these operations and makes them easier and safer should be considered a new and inventive improvement.Objects of the invention

[0022] The object of the present invention is to provide a squeegee that has an easier system for changing the cleaning blade that overcomes one or more of the previously mentioned drawbacks.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a squeegee that allows the cleaning blade to be easily changed even with one hand.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a squeegee that allows for a versatile retention of the different accessory components.

[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a squeegee that does not require, for the retention of the cleaning blade, any element placed at the ends of the profile that retains said cleaning blade.

[0026] An equally important object of the present invention is to provide a squeegee that makes it possible to replace the scraper blade even with only one hand.Explanation of the invention

[0027] All the aforementioned purposes, and others that will better appear from the following disclosure, are achieved by the squeegee that allows the cleaning blade, the object of the present invention, to be changed more conveniently according to the attached claims.

[0028] This is about a squeegee equipped with an easy-to-change cleaning blade, comprising: a handle, a clamp equipped with mouth, formed by two jaws, one of which is preferably movable, a retaining profile and a scraper blade, a mechanism for opening said clamp mouth, a control lever for said mechanism where said clamp is attached to one end of said handle, or where one end of said handle is configured as a clamp, and where said longitudinal retaining profile has a continuous groove running along its entire length, designed with a cross-section that allows it to retain said scraper blade that extends in length corresponding to that of said retaining profile; said mechanism for opening the mouth of the clamp takes on at least three different configurations to allow said mouth of the clamp to assume three different degrees of opening, of which at least two are stable, a first position with the mouth closed and locked with a fixed and stable retention of the retaining profile and the scraper blade together with the clamp; a second position retaining only the retaining profile together with the clamp and allowing the scraper blade to slide longitudinally within the retaining profile, and a third position that allows the clamp to be detached from the retaining profile and scraper blade. Advantageous characteristics of the invention

[0029] Advantageously, said first position where the mouth is closed and locked corresponds to the minimum opening of the mouth.

[0030] Advantageously, said second widening position of the mouth of the clamp corresponds to a stable position of the control of the opening mechanism, allowing the operator to remove the scraper blade from the retaining profile, where said profile is in turn held within the clamp, holding the squeegee firmly through its handle. Advantageously, said second widening position of the mouth of the clamp corresponds to a slight opening of the jaws of the clamp that retains the retaining profile and that leaves the scraper blade free to slide within the groove of said profile.

[0031] Advantageously, said third widening position of the mouth of the clamp corresponds to a position of the control even more beyond the stable positions and under the effect of elastic devices that tend to return the control back to one of the two stable positions and ideally to said second stable position.

[0032] Advantageously, the third widening position of the mouth of the clamp is configured as a rotation of a jaw around its own pivot point moved directly by said control lever.

[0033] Advantageously, said control lever of the mechanism is positioned on the handle, making it easier for the operator to use. Advantageously, said lever of the mechanism is enclosed within the perimeter profile of the handle and / or clamp in the first closed position.

[0034] Advantageously, said lever of the mechanism extends beyond the perimeter profile of the handle and / or the clamp by at least the third closing position.

[0035] Advantageously, said three different positions of the control of the mechanism correspond to three positions rotated around a hinge pin of a jaw of the clamp mouth.

[0036] Advantageously, the fixed and stably retained position of the retaining profile within the mouth of the clamp is ensured, and is achieved by overcoming an initial interference involving a toggle mechanism, with which the mechanism is equipped, with respect to a fixed part of the clamp or handle.Brief description of the drawings

[0037] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can clearly be seen in the claims below, and its advantages will become more readily apparent in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment, which is purely exemplary and not limiting, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the squeegee that is the object of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 show what is shown in fig. 1 from two different perspective views. Figs. 4-7 show different perspective views, all in section along a vertical plane and in an enlarged manner, of a specific detail of the retaining part of the clamp of the retaining profile and the mechanism between the jaws of the clamp. Fig. 8 shows the squeegee of fig. 1 from a perspective view with the control of the mechanism for opening the mouth of the clamp protruding beyond the perimeter profile of the clamp itself to allow the operator to remove the scraper blade while keeping the retaining profile at the mouth of the clamp. Fig. 9 shows what is set out in fig. 8 from a side flat view. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show what is shown in fig. 8 with different perspective sectional views along a vertical plane Fig. 13 shows the squeegee of fig. 1 from a perspective view with the control of the mechanism for opening the mouth of the clamp, further extended beyond the perimeter profile of the clamp to allow the mouth to be opened in order to release the retaining profile and move it away from the clamp. Fig. 14 shows what is set out in fig. 13 from a side flat view. Fig. 15 shows shown what is set out in fig. 14 as a cross-section along a vertical plane. Detailed description of an exemplary preferred embodiment

[0038] With reference to the drawings, it is possible to see the squeegee 1 of the invention, which comprises a handle 2, a clamp 3 and a scraper blade held by a retaining profile.

[0039] Said clamp 3 comprises an upper jaw 4 and a lower jaw 5. Preferably, for simplicity of construction, only the lower jaw 5 is movable, attached to a hinge pin 6 with a groove in common with the upper jaw 4. The rotation of the lower jaw 5 is controlled by a mechanism 7 equipped with a manually operated control lever 8. Preferably, said control lever 8 is located on the handle 2 or on the clamp 3.

[0040] Said control lever 8 can take on three positions, of which at least two are stable, which have an effect on said mechanism 7 to which three increasing situations of separation of the clamp 3 correspond. To the different degrees of opening of the mouth of the clamp 3 correspond different situations for the retention and / or release of the retaining profile assembly and the scraper blade.

[0041] In the normal cleaning configuration, the squeegee 1 keeps the retaining profile 9 securely attached to the end of the handle 2, by means of the clamp 3, in whose groove 10 the scraper blade 11 is. Said normal configuration corresponds to a first position of the control lever 8, integrated and not protruding, but within the perimeter profile of the handle 2.

[0042] When replacing said scraper blade 11, using said control lever 8, a rotation of the mechanism 7 is carried out which, by overcoming an initial interference between a toggle joint 12 of the mechanism 7 on a fixed part of the clamp 3 or the handle 2, loosens the retaining pressure on the scraper blade 11, allowing it to be removed from the relative groove 10 of the retaining profile 9, while still keeping it attached to the retaining profile.

[0043] Said varied and protruding position of the control lever 8 corresponds to the second stable position of the control lever that, by acting on the locking / fixing - opening mechanism 7 of the clamp 3 configures the jaws 4, 5 in a divergent spaced situation between said jaws.

[0044] In the further movement, preferably of the rotary type of the control lever 8, the lever resting on the movable lower jaw 5 of the clamp 3, pushes it to rotate, around the hinge axis 6 in common with the fixed upper jaw 4, leading them to an opening of the mouth that allows the retaining profile 9 to move away from the clamp 3 itself.

[0045] Said further movement of the control lever corresponds to the third possible position of the lever 8, which is not stable, and is returned to the second stable position by means of elastic devices 13 connected with or included in the mechanism 7 for opening the mouth of the clamp.

Claims

1. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade, comprising: - a handle (2), - a clamp (3) equipped with a mouth, formed by two jaws (4, 5), one of which is preferably movable, - a retaining profile (9) and - a scraper blade (11), - a mechanism (7) for opening said clamp mouth (3), - a lever (8) for controlling said mechanism (7) where said clamp (3) is attached to one end of said handle (2), or where one end of said handle (2) is designed to function as a clamp (3), and where said longitudinally extending retaining profile (9) has a continuous groove (10) spanning its entire longitudinal extension designed with a specific cross-section so that it can retain within said longitudinal groove (10) where said scraper blade (11) has a length corresponding to that of said retaining profile (9); said mechanism (7) for opening the mouth of the clamp (3), takes on at least three different positions to allow said mouth of the clamp (3) to assume three different positions and expand over at least three opening positions, of which at least two are stable, - a first position with the mouth closed and locked with a fixed and stable retention of the retaining profile (9) and the scraper blade (11) together with the clamp (3); - a second retention position of just the retaining profile (9) together with the clamp (3) and allowing the scraper blade (11) to slide longitudinally within the retaining profile (9), and - a third detached position that allows for the separation of the clamp (3) and the retaining profile (9) and the scraper blade (11).

2. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said first closed and locked mouth position of the clamp (3) corresponds to the minimum opening spacing of the mouth of the clamp (3).

3. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said second position of the mouth of the clamp (3) corresponds to a stable position of the mechanism (7) controlling the opening, allowing the operator to remove the scraper blade (11) from the retaining profile (9), where said profile (9) is in turn held within the clamp (3), holding the squeegee (1) firmly by its handle (2).

4. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said second position of the mouth of the clamp (3) corresponds to a slight opening spacing of the jaws (4, 5) of the clamp (3) which retains the retaining profile (9) and which leaves the scraper blade (11) free to slide within the groove (10) of said retaining profile (9).

5. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said third position of the mouth of the clamp (3) corresponds to a position of the control lever (8) of the mechanism (7) further shifted from the stable positions and under the effect of elastic devices (13) which tend to return the control lever (8) to one of the two stable positions and preferably to said second stable position.

6. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the third position of the mouth of the clamp (3) is designed as a rotation of a jaw around its hinge pin (6) axis pushed directly by said control lever (8).

7. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said control lever (8) of the mechanism (7) is positioned on the handle (2), thereby making the job easier for the operator.

8. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said control lever (8) of the mechanism (7) is contained within the perimetric profile of the handle (2) and / or the clamp (3) in the first closed position.

9. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said control lever (8) of the mechanism (7) extends beyond the perimetric profile of the handle (2) and / or the clamp (3) at least in the third closed position.

10. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said three different positions of the control lever (8) of the mechanism (7) correspond to three positions rotated around a hinge pin (6) of a jaw (4, 5) of the clamp mouth (3).

11. Squeegee with an easy-to-change cleaning blade according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the fixed and stably held position of the retaining profile (9) within the mouth of the clamp (3) is secured by overcoming an initial interference of a toggle joint (12), with which the mechanism (7) is equipped, with respect to a fixed part of the clamp (3) or the handle (2).

Images