Windshield washer machine

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a self-contained washing machine to clean a vehicle window such as a vehicle's windscreen. The washing machine is principally a windscreen washing machine. The washing machine includes a cleaning liquid reservoir unit having a pump and a battery and support. Upon insertion of the battery and support into a housing and handle, electrical connection is made to drive a trigger operated reciprocating squeegee tool. The reciprocating squeegee tool includes a mechanical reciprocator, a squeegee head, and a spraying head, the mechanical reciprocator inducing reciprocating action to a connected squeegee head. The spraying head is connected to the cleaning fluid through tubing and is located proximate the squeegee head. An extender unit fits between the cleaning liquid reservoir unit and the housing and handle of the squeegee tool.

1 . A self-contained reciprocating squeegee tool comprising: 
 a handle having a housing with a first or proximal and second or distal opposite ends;    a mechanical reciprocator disposed in said handle;    an electric motor for driving said mechanical reciprocator;    a hollow elongated shaft having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is connected to said second opposite end of said housing;    a squeegee head defining a rod connector;    an elongated rod with opposite ends located inside said hollow elongated shaft, wherein one opposite end of said rod is operably connected to said mechanical reciprocator and the remaining opposite end of said rod is connected to said rod connector of the squeegee head;    a cleaning fluid delivery tube with opposite proximal and distal ends, said distal end connected to a sprayer member;    a liquid reservoir unit comprising: 
 a reservoir wall; and  
 an electric pump fluidly connected to said cleaning fluid delivery tube for supplying cleaning fluid from said reservoir unit to said cleaning fluid delivery tube opposite the end connected to said sprayer member; and  
   a battery located within said handle housing having electrical connections with said liquid reservoir pump and said mechanical reciprocator motor for providing power for their respective operation during use of the squeegee tool.    
   
   
       2 . The reciprocating squeegee tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube directs cleaning fluid to the sprayer member for spraying the cleaning fluid on an area of windshield proximate to the squeegee head, and wherein the reciprocator induces a reciprocating action in the squeegee head such that the squeegee head is repeatedly moved between a first position and a second position so that the induced movement in the squeegee head combined with the cleaning fluid spray can be applied to clean a vehicle's windshield.  
   
   
       3 . The reciprocating squeegee tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said liquid reservoir unit further comprises a reservoir handle attachment mounted on said reservoir wall for connection with said proximal end of said handle.  
   
   
       4 . The reciprocating squeegee tool according to  claim 3 , wherein said liquid reservoir unit further comprises a battery support sleeve generally conforming to said battery and removably insertable, along with said battery, into said handle housing.  
   
   
       5 . The reciprocating squeegee tool according to  claim 4 , said electrical connections between said battery and said cleaning liquid pump extending along said battery support sleeve so as to be received within said handle housing.  
   
   
       6 . The reciprocating squeegee tool according to  claim 5 , further comprising an extension unit removably insertable between said handle housing and said liquid reservoir unit, said extension comprising: 
 a proximal extension receiver housing forming a handle;    an extension tube extending forward from said extension housing;    a distal extension insert connected to and extending forward from said extension tube;    said extension tube containing an extension cleaning fluid tube having a proximal end and a distal end;    said extension tube containing an extension electrical power line having a proximal end and a distal end;    said cleaning fluid delivery tube being fluidly connectable to the proximal end of said extension cleaning fluid tube;    an extension to spray tube connector tube fluidly connected with said cleaning fluid delivery tube;    said extension to spray tube being fluidly connectable to said distal end of said extension cleaning fluid tube; and    said extension power line being electrically connected with said battery at its proximal end and being electrically connected with said mechanical reciprocator motor; and    a trigger switch located on said extension receiver housing handle for selectively opening and closing said electrical connection between said extension power line and said battery for selectively operating said reciprocating squeegee tool;    whereby, upon insertion of said extension unit between said liquid reservoir unit and said handle housing, electrical contact is made between said battery and said mechanical reciprocator motor.    
   
   
       7 . The reciprocating squeegee tool of  claim 6 , said extension tube comprising at least an outer and an inner telescoping tube for selectively extending said extension tube, said extension cleaning fluid tube being in the form of a coil and said extension electrical power line being in the form of a coil, whereby upon extending said extension tube, the said coils extend and separate, and whereby upon retracting said extension tube, said coils retract and gather.  
   
   
       8 . The reciprocating squeegee tool of  claim 7 , further comprising a length adjustment nut for fixing said inner tube relative to said outer tube for selecting a desired operating length.  
   
   
       9 . The reciprocating squeegee tool of  claim 1 , said handle having a trigger switch located on said housing handle for selectively opening and closing said electrical connection between said motor of said mechanical reciprocator and said battery for selectively operating said reciprocating squeegee tool.  
   
   
       10 . The reciprocating squeegee tool of  claim 1 , said sprayer member having a hollow shaft for delivering cleaning fluid proximate said squeegee head.  
   
   
       11 . A method of cleaning a vehicle window, comprising the step of cleaning a vehicle window using a motor-driven mechanical reciprocator attached to and driving a squeegee head.  
   
   
       12 . The method of cleaning a vehicle window according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of applying a cleaning fluid to the vehicle window, wherein the vehicle window is a windshield.  
   
   
       13 . The method of cleaning a vehicle window according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of spraying a cleaning fluid on to the squeegee head or the vehicle window.