WINDOW TINTING TOOL

Abstract

A tool for applying tint film to an inside window surface of an automobile has a unitary body with a handle portion and a downwardly depending neck extending from the handle portion to an elongate blade supporting portion. The blade supporting portion includes a bottom zone extending to a chamfered distal end. A flexible blade is attached to the bottom zone and the distal end of the blade supporting portion. The flexible blade includes a forwardmost portion that extends beyond the distal end of the blade supporting portion.

Claims

1. A tool for applying tint film to a window surface comprising: a unitary body including a handle portion, an elongate blade supporting portion and a neck extending from the handle portion and downwardly to the elongate blade supporting portion; the blade supporting portion including a bottom zone extending from a rear proximal end of the blade supporting portion to a forward distal end of the blade supporting portion, and the distal end having chamfered surfaces on opposite sides of the blade supporting portion; and a flexible blade attached to the bottom zone and extending down below the bottom zone and further extending from the rear proximal end and beyond the forward distal end of the blade supporting portion.

2. The tool as recited in claim 1 wherein the handle portion is above and rearward of the bottom zone and the flexible blade.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a side, bottom perspective view of the window tint applicator tool of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side, top perspective view of the window tint applicator tool; and

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a user grasping the window tint applicator tool of the present invention and reaching to a top corner of the inside of a curved window of an automobile for removing air bubbles and solution from between window tint film and the curved inside window surface while also removing wrinkles and creases in the tint film, particularly near the corner of the automobile window.

[0011] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to the several views of the drawings, the window tint applicator tool is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The tool 10 includes an integrally molded unitary body 12 that may be formed of a plastic composition or other generally rigid material. The unitary body 12 includes a handle portion 14 and an elongate blade supporting portion 16. A neck extends downwardly from the handle portion 14 to the blade supporting portion 16 so that the blade supporting portion is generally below the handle portion 14. The blade supporting portion includes a bottom zone 18 that may be angled on opposite sides of the blade supporting portion to discourage scratching of the tint film when using the tool 10 to apply a tint film to a window surface. As seen in FIG. 1, the bottom zone 18 is entirely below the handle portion 14 so that the user can grasp the handle portion 14 in one hand, with the index finger on or near the bottom zone 18 on one side of the blade supporting portion and the thumb on the top curved edge of the neck and in a manner wherein the user's hand does not contact the tint film or window surface.

[0013] The bottom zone 18 extends from a proximal end to a distal end 20. A distal end portion 22 adjacent to the distal end 20 is chamfered, as seen in FIGS. 1-3. A flexible blade 24 is attached to the bottom zone 18 and extends from the rear proximal end of the bottom zone 18 to beyond the distal end 20. The flexible blade 24 includes a straight primary working edge extending the entire length of the flexible blade for contact with the tint film on the window surface. The flexible blade 24 extends beyond the distal end 20 so that a portion of the flexible blade 26, including a secondary working edge, is positioned forwardly of the distal end 20 and chamfered surfaces 22, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. This not only allows use of the forward portion 26 of the flexible blade when applying the tint film to the window surface, but also helps to avoid contact of the distal end 20 and the remainder of the rigid unitary body 12 with the tint film and window surface which may otherwise result in scratching or cutting the tint film. The chamfered surfaces 22 on opposite sides of the unitary body, at the distal end 20, also help to prevent contact of the rigid unitary body 12 with the tint film and window surface by eliminating sharp, abrupt edges at the distal end while reducing the overall profile of the distal end portion of the blade supporting portion.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 4, the window tint applicator tool 10 is shown in use applying window tint film to an inside curved surface of an automobile window 100. In particular, the window tint applicator tool 10 is shown in use to remove air bubbles and solution from between the window tint film and the curved inside window surface of the automobile window 100 at a corner 102 that may otherwise be difficult to reach with another type of squeegee tool. As seen in FIG. 4, the end portion 26 of the flexible blade 24 extends beyond the chamfered distal end portion 22 to thereby allow for full contact of the flexible blade 24, including the primary and secondary working edges, with the tint film in difficult to reach areas, such as the corner 102 of the window 100 without the rigid unitary body of the tool coming into contact with the tint film. FIG. 4 also illustrates a manner of holding the tool 10, wherein the user may place the thumb on the top curved surface of the neck extending from the handle portion 14 to the blade supporting portion 16, while also using the index finger to apply pressure on or near the bottom zone 18 while avoiding contact with the flexible blade 24. The user's other fingers may be wrapped around the underside or bottom of the handle portion 14 without contacting the window surface or tint film.

[0015] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.