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

• US 7,134,163 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• 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:
  US11/007,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20050150071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 151/431, 152/45, D32/41, 164/30
• 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: B29C 70/70 Completely encapsulating inserts B29C70/86 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/74 Moulding material on a relatively small portion of the preformed part, e.g. outsert moulding B29C70/845 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/283 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/463 Grips, handles handgrips as part of the body finishing of the vehicles B29L2031/3029
• 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 and a lower long edge, a soft, flexible handle 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. An apparatus for wiping flat and curved surfaces, comprising:

a flexible panel having a thickness, a length, a height, two faces, outwardly and downwardly curved outer ends, and an upper long edge and a lower long edge, the upper long edge having an engagement feature along each face;

a first rigid handle section along substantially the length of the upper edge, the first handle section engaging the engagement feature on one face including a rounded upper ridge portion and a rounded lower ridge portion protruding laterally from one side of the first handle section, and extending substantially along the length of the first handle section;

a second rigid handle section along substantially the length of the upper edge, the second handle section engaging the engagement feature on the other face including a rounded upper ridge portion and a rounded lower ridge portion protruding laterally from one side of the second handle section, and extending substantially along the length of the second handle section; and

a lip portion having a center portion and outer tips, formed of projections on each face of the flexible panel, making a T-bar having substantially constant wall thickness, the T-bar lip formed closer to the lower long edge than to the upper long edge;

characterized in that the flexible panel is longer than the handle sections, the height is at least ten percent of the length, and the ridge portions of the handle sections, when joined, form a recessed portion in between the ridges resulting in providing a better grip without it being necessary to partially grip the flexible panel, and further characterized in that the curved outer ends are shaped such that downward force of the joined handle sections during use is applied equally to the center portion and outer tips of the lip portion and all points in between.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sections of the handle are joined by screw fasteners.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is molded from silicone material at from 30–

60 durometer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is adapted to be joined to a handle extension.