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EP-4570121-B1 - A MODULAR CADDY FOR CARRYING WINDOW CLEANING ACCESSORIES

EP4570121B1EP 4570121 B1EP4570121 B1EP 4570121B1EP-4570121-B1

Inventors

  • EVANS, RICHARD

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241211

Claims (10)

  1. A modular caddy for carrying window cleaning accessories, the caddy comprising: a main bag (1) comprising a back panel (2) and a cover sheet (3) permanently attached to the back panel (2) on its periphery to form a main receptacle (4) with an opening (5), securing means (6) arranged on the back panel (2) for releasably securing the main bag (1) to a garment; at least one strip (7) of webbing arranged on the outer surface of said cover sheet (3) and fixed to said outer surface at regular intervals to form a series of gaps (8) ; characterized in at least one attachment means (9) dimensioned to correspond to said gaps (8) and configured for releasably attaching to said strip (7) of webbing; and at least one modular unit (10) attachable to said main bag (1) at said strip (7) of webbing using said at least one attachment means (9).
  2. The modular caddy of claim 1, wherein said at least one modular unit (10) comprises at least one strip (7) of webbing arranged on its outer surface, and wherein said attachment means (9) are configured for attaching said modular unit (10) to said main bag (1) and for attaching further modular units (10) to said modular unit (10) by interconnecting said respective strips (7) of webbing.
  3. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein said at least one strip (7) of webbing is arranged to form a Pouch Attachment Ladder System, PALS.
  4. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means (9) comprises a clip (15) having two hinged plates (16, 17) that can be releasably joined together, preferably via a snap fit arrangement (18) that is released by release buttons (19).
  5. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one modular unit (10) comprises an extension unit (11) shaped and sized substantially the same as the main bag.
  6. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one modular unit (10) comprises a pocket unit (12) with a receptacle dimensioned for holding miscellaneous items, such as a mobile phone, cleaning cloth, business card, or scraper; wherein the height of said pocket unit (12) substantially corresponds to the height of the main bag (1) and its maximum width corresponds to half the width of the main bag (1).
  7. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one modular unit (10) comprises a bottle holder unit (13) having a receptacle with a tunnel-shaped cross-section dimensioned to hold a cylindrical object such as a squeegee bottle, wherein the height of said bottle holder unit (13) may extend beyond the height of the main bag (1) and its maximum width corresponds to half the width of the main bag (1).
  8. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one modular unit (10) comprises a tube unit (14) with an elongated shape and a circular cross-section, dimensioned for holding narrow elongated items such as a squeegee channel, wherein the height of said tube unit (14) substantially corresponds to the height of the main bag (1) and its maximum width corresponds to about a quarter of the width of the main bag (1).
  9. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said main receptacle (4) or a receptacle of a modular unit (10) comprises a waterproof inner lining.
  10. The modular caddy of any preceding claim, wherein the exterior of at least one of said main bag (1) or said modular unit (10) is made of polyurethane coated nylon fabric, and the interior of at least one of the main bag (1) or said modular unit (10) is made of vinyl.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates to the field of body-worn harnesses, holsters, belts or other garments for carrying items, and more particularly to devices for carrying window cleaning accessories on the body. BACKGROUND The task of window cleaning or washing, particularly on high-rise commercial buildings, can present challenges and potential dangers, necessitating skill, expertise, and specialized equipment. Among the essential tools is typically one or more rubber-bladed wiping devices, commonly referred to as squeegees, which come in various sizes for different purposes. It is not uncommon for window cleaners to carry multiple squeegees. When working on elevated platforms, it is common for workers to carry a full load of items to avoid the time-consuming process of descending to retrieve any overlooked tools. To enhance their efficiency, window cleaning personnel often carry a range of readily accessible items, including, but not limited to, one or more squeegees, handled mops, sponges, scrapers, steel wool, solvent applicators, buckets, hoses, soap containers, and wiping rags. Additionally, larger squeegees and extension poles, which can occupy limited space on the elevated platform, contribute to the bulkiness of the equipment. To address the need for organizing and facilitating easy access to the numerous items utilized by window cleaning personnel, there have been proposals for various harnesses, caddies, holsters, specialized work clothing, and other item carriers. US10842252B1 describes such a caddy for carrying window cleaning accessories such as squeegees. The caddy can hang from the waistbelt of a user and can include a lower reservoir portion hingedly connected to an upper sleeve portion by a hinge. A releasable lock allows the reservoir to disengage from the sleeve, swing about the hinge and drain the liquid contents of the reservoir. US2013037559A1 discloses a bucket tool organizer useful for transporting and storing tools, utensils, or other useful implements. However, many of these carriers are bulky, expensive, lack versatility in accommodating different tools, and fail to securely hold items while allowing for convenient and swift removal. Therefore, there is a clear necessity for a body-worn window cleaning caddy that effectively addresses one or more of the aforementioned deficiencies. SUMMARY It is an object of the disclosure to provide an improved caddy that is sufficiently versatile for carrying cleaning supplies of various types and sizes, while still being simple and easy to carry as a wearable item. This goal is achieved by a modular caddy with an attachment system that allows quick mounting of various modular carrier 03702-DK-EP units to a main bag, and which also allows the modular units to be attached to each other. According to a first aspect of the invention, as disclosed in claim 1, there is provided a modular caddy for carrying window cleaning accessories, the caddy including a main bag including a back panel and a cover sheet permanently attached to the back panel on its periphery to form a main receptacle with an opening. Securing means are arranged on the back panel for releasably securing the main bag to a garment, such as a tool belt. At least one strip of webbing is arranged on the outer surface of the cover sheet and fixed to the outer surface at regular intervals to form a series of gaps. At least one attachment means is provided, dimensioned to correspond to the gaps and configured for releasably attaching to the strip of webbing. Further provided is one or more modular units attachable to the main bag at the strip of webbing using the at least one attachment means. Such a modular caddy can conveniently carry a number of wet or soaking window cleaning items such as squeegees on a user's belt thanks to the releasable securing means and the modular units attachable to the main bag. The caddy can be made from substantially rigid, durable fabric sheet material, and thus the entire caddy can be machine washed. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the modular unit also includes at least one strip of webbing arranged on its outer surface. In some embodiments, the attachment means are configured for attaching the modular unit to the main bag by interconnecting their respective strips of webbing. In some embodiments, the attachment means are also configured for attaching further modular units to 03702-DK-EP the modular unit by interconnecting their respective strips of webbing. In some embodiments, the at least one strip of webbing may be arranged to form a Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS). In some embodiments, the attachment means may include a clip having two hinged plates that can be releasably joined together, preferably via a snap fit arrangement that may be released by release buttons. In some embodiments the clips may be made of metal or heavy-duty plastic. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one modular