SCREEN CLEANING DEVICE WITH BIFURCATED MICROFIBER FINGERS

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/129,442, filed Mar. 6, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable display-cleaning device and, in particular, to a display-cleaning device having bifurcated finger receptacles joined by an elastic strap.

BACKGROUND

Various display-cleaning mitts are available on the market, including those seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,127, U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,047, US20030217425, US20140130280, and sold under the name FUZZY FINGER dusting mitt or similar names, as on various websites, such as http://www.thefind.com/office/info-fuzzy-fingers-microfiber-duster and http://www.containerstore.com/shop/cleaning/dusters!productId=10026230. These products typically include a pad in which one or more fingers are inserted to enable dusting of a small surface such as a cell phone.

Despite certain products available in this area, there remains a need for a more convenient solution for wiping small display screens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A screen cleaning device, comprising first and second finger pads each having a closed-end and an open end opposite thereto sized to receive a finger of a user. The finger pads are made of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens, preferably a microfiber. A lanyard connects the first and second finger pads. The lanyard is elastic and desirably about 4 inches in length. Each finger pad is preferably about 3″ high by 1.5″ wide to receive fingers of a user. No sprays or cleaners are required. A quick-release clasp may be secured to the lanyard to provide additional storage options.

A protective sleeve made of stretchable fabric may be attached to one of the finger pads and into which both of the finger pads can be stored. The protective sleeve is may be sewn to an inner lining of one of the finger pads so as to be concealed therein when not in use, or sewn to an exterior of one of the finger pads. Advertising information may be printed on an exterior of at least one of the finger pads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bifurcated screen cleaning device of the present application having bifurcated cleaning finger pads connected by a lanyard;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cleaning device showing a hook accessory attached to a strap that connects the bifurcated cleaning finger pads;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the cleaning device disclosed herein enclosed within an attached stretchable fabric sleeve, and FIG. 3B shows the cleaning device of FIG. 3A after inverting bifurcated finger pads from within the fabric sleeve for use; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the cleaning device having a stretchable fabric sleeve sewn to an inner lining of one of the bifurcated finger pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application provides an improved display-cleaning device which is easy to use, easy access and easy to store.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary screen cleaning device 20 having bifurcated finger pads 22, 24. Each of the finger pads 22, 24 comprises a rounded closed-end 26 and a relatively straight open end 28. The finger pads 22, 24 are made of a fabric suitable for cleaning display screens, and preferably made of a high quality microfiber fabric. One exemplary fabric is a plush nap microfiber having 80% polyester and 20% polymide.

In a preferred embodiment the finger pads 22, 24 are approximately 3″ high (or deep) by 1.5″ wide, though the dimensions may vary for different sized fingers. The closed bottom end 26 where a finger inserts would be detailed with a hemmed stitch and also preferably embroidered with a commercial logo. The two finger pads 22, 24 are attached together by a 4 inch strap, tether or lanyard 32, preferably attached such as by being sewn at adjacent corners 34 of the finger pads 22, 24. The outer surface area of the lanyard 32 could be a solid color, pattern, or may be used to print business information for advertising purposes. The lanyard 32 is desirably about 1/8 inch wide and 4 inches in length and preferably formed of an elastic fabric material. The finger pads 22, 24 and lanyard 32 may be provided in a variety of colors and or dye printed with various prints and patterns.

FIG. 2 shows connected to the lanyard a small 1″ long plastic or metal quick-release clasp 36 making the device 20 easy to attach to a variety of rings, loops, holes, etc. For instance, a loop 38 of the lanyard 32 may be passed through a ring (not shown) on the bottom end of the clasp 36 and then the hook passed through the loop so as to capture it, as shown.

The bifurcated microfiber finger pads 22, 24 are easy to use; one need only insert the forefinger and middle finger (typically) into respective finger pads. The stretchable lanyard 32 provides a simple means of storing the device 20, such as by hanging it over a hook (not shown) or via the clasp 36. Furthermore, the stretchable band lanyard 32 connected to a quick-release clasp 36 facilitates storage on purses, key rings, belt loops, and the like. Furthermore, the ability to use the lanyard and device for business advertisement in a relatively inexpensive product is highly desirable.

FIG. 3A shows an alternative cleaning device 40 enclosed within an attached stretchable fabric sleeve 42, while FIG. 3B shows the device after inverting bifurcated finger pads 44 from within the fabric sleeve for use. The stretchable sleeve 42 provides easy storage and convenience for the two finger pads 44, which remained connected by a lanyard 46. The sleeve 42 may be made of various stretch fabrics and attaches to the outside of one of the figure pads 44 using a circumferential seam 48 approximately midway down the length of the finger pad, as seen in FIG. 3B. The stretchable sleeve 42 easily folds over the figure pads 44 creating a nifty clean storage pouch. When the figure pads 44 are separated, an open end of the stretchable sleeve 42 lies aligned with the open end of the figure pad 44 to which it is attached.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the cleaning device 50 having a stretchable fabric sleeve 52 sewn to an inner lining of one of the bifurcated finger pads 54. The use of a hidden pouch or sleeve 52 that folds inside the finger pad 54 permits the user to concealed the sleeve inside the finger pad when not in use to reduce the chance of snagging the sleeve on anything.

Packaging would be a 3″ by 5″ sealed plastic bag and secured in a heavy paper stock 6″ by 3″ folded in half with logo and pertinent product information printed on it.

Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed.