ERGONOMIC TOWEL-BASED CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

Methods and devices for cleaning materials are provided. The device may include a cloth having a first textured surface and a second textured surface with the second textured surface being coarser than the first textured surface, and a compartment housed in the cloth having an opening on the outside of the cloth. The compartment is configured to enclose a hand of a user, and wherein the second surface is positioned on the outside of the cloth over portions of the compartment configured to house a thumb and at least one finger of the hand of the user.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a cloth having a first textured surface and a second textured surface, wherein the second textured surface is coarser than the first textured surface; and a compartment housed in the cloth having an opening on an outside of the cloth, wherein the compartment is configured to enclose a hand of a user, and wherein the second surface is positioned on the outside of the cloth over portions of the compartment configured to house a thumb and at least one finger of the hand of the user.

2. The cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the compartment is in the shape of a mitten.

3. The cleaning apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the compartment is in the shape of a glove.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the cloth includes a toweling material.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second textured surface includes the same material as the first textured surface.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second textured surface includes a material different from the first textured surface.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the second textured surface is positioned over the first textured surface.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second textured surface is an abrasive.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first textured surface includes a color different from a color of the second textured surface.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the second textured surface is positioned on a first side of the cloth and a second side of the cloth.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein, on the first side and the second side, the second textured surface is positioned on the outside of the cloth over the portions of the compartment configured to house the thumb and at least one finger of the hand of the user.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the compartment includes an inner lining.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the inner lining includes a material different from the first textured surface.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the inner lining includes a waterproof material.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the inner lining creates a waterproof seal.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the compartment is sewn into the cloth.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the cloth.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the handle is of a sufficient length to enable the user to pull a portion of the cloth through an opening formed by the handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a first side of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a back view of a second side of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 6-7 show side views of a cleaning apparatus, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a front view of a first side of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a back view of a second side of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIGS. 11-12 show side perspective views of a cleaning apparatus, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of a cleaning apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a cleaning apparatus is provided, wherein the cleaning apparatus includes a compartment housed in a cloth, having an opening on the outside of the cloth, and wherein the compartment is configured to enclose a hand of a user.

[0035] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus 100 is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 100 includes a cloth 105 having a first textured surface 110 and a second textured surface 120. According to an embodiment, the second textured surface is coarser than the first textured surface. According to various embodiments, the second textured surface 120 includes a material different from at least one of the materials in the first textured surface 110. According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 may be an abrasive. In yet another embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is a polishing-type cloth. In some embodiments, the second textured area 120 is an abrasive surface on one side of the cleaning apparatus 100 and on a second side of the cleaning apparatus 100, the second textured surface 120 is a polishing surface. Each surface may be used for different materials to be cleaned or may be used in cumulative when cleaning a singular material. One or more components of the cleaning apparatus may be composed of a cloth material, such as, for example, toweling material. However, other materials having similar qualities may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 100 includes a compartment 130 housed within the cloth 105. According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 is stitched into the cloth 105. However, other methods of forming the compartment 130 within the cloth 105 may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 is configured to house the hand of a user, and has an opening 135 for the insertion of the hand. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the compartment 130 is in the shape of a mitten. However, other suitable shapes, such as the shape of a glove, may also be implemented into the compartment 130.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is positioned over the compartment 130. According to an embodiment, the textured surface 120 is positioned over portions of the compartment 130 designated for the thumb and at least one finger of the user. This enables the user, after inserting a hand into the compartment 130, to rub the coarser-textured or polishing second textured surface 120 against any items that are being cleaned by the cleaning apparatus 100. The first textured surface 110, being less coarse than the second textured surface 120, may be used for drying. However, the first textured surface 110 may be used for other purposes, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 includes an inner lining. The inner lining may be made from one of the same materials as the cloth 105, or may include one or more different materials. According to an embodiment, the inner lining may include a waterproof material. This waterproof materials may create a waterproof seal thereby preventing a user's hand from becoming wet with water, cleaning materials, etc.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 100 includes one or more handles 140, coupled to the cloth 105. According to an embodiment, the handle 140 is of a sufficient length to enable the user to pull a portion of the cloth 105 through an opening formed by the handle 140.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, a front view of a first side (FIG. 2) of the cleaning apparatus 100 and a back view of a second side (FIG. 3) of the cleaning apparatus 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 extends from the first side to the second side of the cleaning apparatus 100. According to another embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is positioned over portions of the compartment 130 designated for the thumb and at least one finger of the user on the first side of the cleaning apparatus 100 and the second side of the cleaning apparatus 100.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, a top view (FIG. 4) and a bottom view (FIG. 5) of the cleaning apparatus 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, side views of the cleaning apparatus 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is placed over the first textured surface 110. According to embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, the second textured surface 120 protrudes farther out from a central axis of the cleaning apparatus 100 than the first textured surface 110. According to other embodiments, the second textured surface 120 is flush with the first textured surface 110.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus 200 is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 200 includes a cloth 105 having a first textured surface 110 and a second textured surface 120. According to an embodiment, the second textured surface is coarser than the first textured surface. According to various embodiments, the second textured surface 120 includes a material different from at least one of the materials in the first textured surface 110. According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 may be an abrasive. One or more components of the cleaning apparatus may be composed of a cloth material, such as, for example, toweling material. However, other materials having similar qualities may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 200 includes a compartment 130 housed within the cloth 105. According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 is stitched into the cloth 105. However, other methods of forming the compartment 130 within the cloth 105 may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-14, the compartment 130 encompasses the entire area, or a majority of the area, of the cleaning apparatus 200.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 is configured to house the hand of a user, and has an opening 135 for the insertion of the hand. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the compartment 130 is in the shape of a mitten. However, other suitable shapes, such as the shape of a glove, may also be implemented into the compartment 130.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is positioned over the compartment 130. According to an embodiment, the textured surface 120 is positioned over portions of the compartment 130 designated for the thumb and at least one finger of the user. This enables the user, after inserting a hand into the compartment 130, to rub the coarser-textured or polishing second textured surface 120 against any items that are being cleaned by the cleaning apparatus 200. The first textured surface 110, being less coarse than the second textured surface 120, may be used for drying. However, the first textured surface 110 may be used for other purposes, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 includes an inner lining. The inner lining may be made from one of the same materials as the cloth 105, or may include one or more different materials. According to an embodiment, the inner lining may include a waterproof material. This waterproof materials may create a waterproof seal.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, a front view of a first side (FIG. 9) of the cleaning apparatus 200 and a back view of a second side (FIG. 10) of the cleaning apparatus 200 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the compartment 130 extends from the first side to the second side of the cleaning apparatus 200. According to another embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is positioned over portions of the compartment 130 designated for the thumb and at least one finger of the user on the first side of the cleaning apparatus 200 and the second side of the cleaning apparatus 200.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, side views of the cleaning apparatus 200 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 13-14, a top view (FIG. 13) and a bottom view (FIG. 14) of the cleaning apparatus 200 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the second textured surface 120 is placed over the first textured surface 110. According to embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-14, the second textured surface 120 protrudes farther out from a central axis of the cleaning apparatus 200 than the first textured surface 110. According to other embodiments, the second textured surface 120 is flush with the first textured surface 110.

[0060] The many elements of the present invention make it unique in the field. The novelty is illustrated by the various options for nearly every aspect of the invention that allow it to be used in the proper exercise form by a variety of users, both in terms of body size and fitness level. Additionally, there is a wide range of exercises available to any user of the present invention, and users can perform exercises that use the upper and lower extremity muscle groups simultaneously.

[0061] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.