Method and apparatus for removing standing water from flat and contoured surfaces

• US 6,796,000 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: One Pass, LLC
• Original Assignee: One Pass, LLC
• Inventors: Varner, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/461,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 151/431, 152/45, D32/41
• US Class Current: 15/245
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 1/06 Hand implements with built-in electric motors A47L1/05
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/11 Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/045 Other hand-held cleaning arrangements, e.g. with sponges, brushes, scrapers or the like brushes per se A46B

Abstract

A water-wiping apparatus for wiping standing water from a curved surface has a flexible panel of a first height, with an upper long edge of a first length and a lower long edge of a second length, greater than the first length, the upper long edge centered on the length of the lower long edge, a substantially rigid handle having a length substantially equal to the first length attached along the upper long edge, and a lip formed along the lower edge, extending to one side of the flexible panel and ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel.

Claims

1. A water-wiping apparatus for wiping standing water from a curved surface, comprising:

a flexible panel of a first height, with an upper long edge of a first length and a lower long edge of a second length, greater than the first length, the upper long edge centered on the length of the lower long edge;

a substantially rigid handle having a length substantially equal to the first length attached along the upper long edge; and

a lip formed along the lower edge, extending to one side of the flexible panel and ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel;

wherein each end of the upper long edge of the flexible panel is joined to the closest end of the lower long edge by a smooth, curved shape, convex relative to the flexible panel in at least a portion, the shape mirrored at each end of the panel.

2. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lip has a triangular cross-section in a plane cutting the panel orthogonal to the length and parallel to the height.

3. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lip joins the flexible panel at an angle equal or less than thirty degrees.

4. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is symmetrical about a central plane common to the panel, and has two sides corresponding to opposite sides of the panel, further comprising an upper and a lower longitudinal ridge on each side of the handle, the ridges spaced apart to form a longitudinal groove to engage a user'"'"'s fingers or thumb, providing a sure grip for the user on the handle.

5. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 4 wherein the upper longitudinal ridge on each side of the handle extends from the central plane of symmetry to a greater extent than does the lower longitudinal ridge.

6. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lip extends to both sides of the flexible panel.

7. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle further comprises an interface for attaching a handle extension.

8. The water-wiping apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of the handle are rounded, presenting a substantially curved outward surface toward the ends of the apparatus.

9. A blade insert for a water-wiping apparatus comprising:

a flexible panel of a first height, with an upper long edge of a first length and a lower long edge of a second length, greater than the first length, the upper long edge centered on the length of the lower long edge;

a handle interface along the upper long edge adapted to join the flexible panel to a rigid handle; and

a lip formed along the lower edge, extending to one side of the flexible panel and ending in a sharp line at the end away from the flexible panel;

wherein each end of the upper long edge of the flexible panel is joined to the closest end of the lower long edge by a smooth, curved shape, convex relative to the flexible panel in at least a portion, the shape mirrored at each end of the panel.

10. The blade insert of claim 9 wherein the lip has a triangular cross-section in a plane cutting the panel orthogonal to the length and parallel to the height.

11. The blade insert of claim 9 wherein the lip joins the flexible panel at an angle equal or less than thirty degrees.

12. The blade insert of claim 9 wherein the lip extends to both sides of the flexible panel.