Joist and baseboard apparatus

Abstract

A ceiling joist and panel grove cleaner apparatus, which provides a means for applying constant cleaning positioning pressure upon both ceiling joists edges and panel groves. The cleaner apparatus comprises a mop flat head applicator with a pivotable hinged application guide, a swivel mount, a handle, an interchangeable joist-cleaning pad, and, an interchangeable panel-grove cleaning pad.

Claims

1. A joist and baseboard apparatus comprising: a handle assembly with a first end and a second end, the first end terminating with a swivelable joint; a plate assembly including: a first guide plate connected to the swivelable joint and a second guide plate hingeably joined to the first guide plate; one or more pad members including attachment sides and cleaning sides, the one or more cleaning pad members attachable to the first and second guide plates via the attachment sides; the cleaning sides are securable in at least the following discrete positions: 90 degrees relative of one another, co-planar relative to one another, and 270 degrees relative to one another.

2. The joist and baseboard apparatus according to claim 1, the swivelable joint is tensionable.

3. The joist and baseboard apparatus according to claim 1, the one or more pad members configured to clean surfaces or apply a coating to a surface.

4. The joist and baseboard apparatus according to claim 1, the handle assembly configured to telescope.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one end of the example embodiment in (FIG. 1);

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side elevation thereof showing translation of a pivoting plate of (FIG. 3);

(5) FIG. 5 is another side elevation thereof;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof showing a joist cleaning configuration;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof showing a baseboard cleaning configuration;

(8) FIG. 8 shows the apparatus configured for a flat surface.

REFERENCE LISTING OF THE NUMBERED ELEMENTS

(9) 100 joist and baseboard apparatus 103 telescoping handle 104 inner pole member 106 outer pole member 108 pole lock 110 grip 112 application face pivotable hinged application guide plate 113 pad mounting surface 114 swivel joint 116 swivel joint mount 117 swivel tensioner 118 hinge member 119 hinge tensioner 120 pivotable hinged leading edge joist guide plate 121 pad mounting surface 122 flexible pad 124 pad attachment member 128 swivel joint stiffener 200 joist/beam 202 baseboard

Definitions

(10) The term “comprises” means “includes.” The term “pad” means any soft applicator, whether of natural material or synthetic that is capable of attracting and retaining dust, or, applying a coating to a surface. The term “coating” or “coatings” means any fluid material that may be a cleaning compound, a polish, a sealer, a stain or paint. The term “swivel” means pivoting and multi-axis movement. The term “joist” means a beam that may be abutting a surface or a stand alone beam in either a decorative or actual supportive capacity. The term “pad mounting surface” refers to the side of the plates configured to receive and retain a pad. The term “hinge member” means a hinge that permits pivotable movement within limits and may include a ratcheting type hinge similar to Model HG-RCT12-C available from Sugatsune America, Inc 18101 Savarona Way, Carson, Calif. 90746, that requires sufficient force to be applied in order to transition the hinge member from one discrete angular position to another, or Constant Torque Position Control Hinge similar to class E6/ST available from Southco® Inc., 210 North Brinton Lake Road, Concordville, Pa. 19331-0116, or tensionable piano type hinges that may have an adjustable end cap for increasing or decreasing the resistance to movement. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. It should be understood that the objects, features and aspects of any implementation or embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with any object, feature or aspect of any other implementation/embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(11) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-8, an apparatus (100) configured for the cleaning of joists (200) and baseboards (202) includes an extendable handle (103) joined to a first hinged guide plate (112) by a swivel joint (114), and, a second hinged guide plate (120) joined to the first hinged guide plate (112) such that the first hinged guide plate and second hinged guide plate are moveable in relation to one another. The first hinged guide plate and second hinged guide plates are pivotable via the swivel joint. A hinge member (118) joining the plates (112, 120) and the swivel joint (114) are tensionable, typically by adjusting hinge tensioner (119) which may be a screw or knob that causes an internal element of the hinge tensioner to bear against the internal surfaces of the respective components. Each plate includes a pad mounting surface (113, 121) configured to accept and retain a flexible pad (122) that may be specialized for dusting, or coatings application.

(12) FIG. 1 shows the entire apparatus with telescoping handle that includes inner (104) and outer (106) pole members and their relationship to the first hinged guide plate (112) and second hinged guide plate (120).

(13) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a handle portion with pole lock (108) that may be twisted to maintain the poles in a desired telescoped position, and the first and second guide plates in a position suitable for cleaning a joist (200) wherein the pad mounting surfaces (113, 121) of the plates (112, 120) are generally 90 degrees apart. Dashed line (124) represents an example hook and loop fastener adapted to attach to a corresponding fastener on a flexible pad (122). Other suitable securing methods for attaching the pads will be appreciated by those having skill in the art. Pads (122) may be interchanged and may include a number of textures, materials and other features for specialized cleaning or coating applications.

(14) FIGS. 3 and 4 are partial side elevations showing two possible positions of the first hinged guide plate (112) and second hinged guide plate (120).

(15) FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation showing the swivel joint (114) that joins the handle (103) to the first hinged guide plate (112). In the illustration, the mounting surfaces of the first hinged guide plate and second hinged guide plates are 270 degrees apart. Flexible pad (122) includes a looped construction.

(16) FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing apparatus (100) in a joist-cleaning configuration where the mounting surfaces of the first hinged guide plate and second hinged guide plate are 90 degrees apart, and further depicts the swivel joint (114) connecting inner pole (104) to the first hinged guide plate (112).

(17) FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing apparatus (100) in a baseboard cleaning configuration, and further depicts swivel joint stiffener (128) that may take the form of a coil spring circumjacent the swivel joint (114) and between pole lock (108) and swivel joint mount (116).

(18) FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing apparatus (100) in a flat surface cleaning configuration where the pad mounting surfaces are 180 degrees apart.