Tool for cleaning surfaces

Abstract

A tool for cleaning a surface is provided. The tool includes a body and a first cover. The first cover is slidably coupled to the body between a first position and a second position, the first cover having a first leading edge. A second cover is slidably coupled to the body and movable between the first position and the second position, the second cover having a second leading edge adjacent the first leading edge. A blade is coupled to the body and being disposed between the first cover and the second cover when in the first position and at least partially extending outward from the first leading edge and second leading edge when in the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for cleaning a surface, the tool comprising:
 a body;   a first cover slidably coupled to the body between a first position and a second position, the first cover having a first leading edge;   a second cover slidably coupled to the body and movable between the first position and the second position, the second cover having a second leading edge adjacent the first leading edge; and   a blade coupled to the body and being disposed between the first cover and the second cover when in the first position and at least partially extending outward from the first leading edge and the second leading edge when in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising a retainer member removably coupled to the body, the blade being coupled to the body by the retainer member. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the first cover includes a first handle portion extending from a first side of a first body portion opposite the first leading edge, and the second cover includes a second handle portion extending from a second side of a second body portion opposite the second leading edge. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the first cover includes a first rib extending from the first handle portion, and the second cover includes a second rib extending from the second handle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the body includes a first slot on a first side and a second slot on a second side, the first slot including a first projection and a second projection that define a first groove therebetween, the second slot including a third projection and a fourth projection that define a second groove therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the first rib is sized and positioned to be at least partially disposed within the first groove and the second rib is sized and positioned to be at least partially disposed within the second groove as the first cover and second cover are moved from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the first body portion includes at least one first tab extending toward the blade and the second body portion includes at least one second tab extending toward the blade. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , wherein the body further includes a head portion extending parallel to and configured to receive the blade, the head portion having a first shoulder sized and positioned to receive the at least one first tab when the first cover is in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the head portion and retaining member have a second shoulder sized and positioned to receive the at least one second tab when the second cover is in the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the head portion includes a first notch sized and positioned to receive the at least one first tab when the first cover is in the first position and the retaining member includes a second notch sized and positioned to receive the at least one second tab when the second cover is in the first position. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first cover includes a first wall having a first end and a second end, the first end having a semi-circular surface and the second end having a semi-circular recess;   the second cover includes a second wall having a third end and a fourth end, the third end having a semi-circular surface and the fourth end having a semi-circular recess; and   the first end engaging with the fourth end and the second end engaging with the third end to define a pivot, the first cover and second cover rotating about the pivot when the first cover and second cover are moved between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first rib is integral with the first wall and the second rib is integral with the second wall. 
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a first clip operably coupled between the first body portion and the second body portion on a first side of the first handle portion; and   a second clip operably coupled between the first body portion and the second body portion on a second side of the first handle portion, the second side of the first handle being opposite the first side of the first handle portion.   
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the first clip and the second clip bias the first cover and the second cover towards a plane defined by the blade. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first body portion includes a first cavity and an opposing second cavity, a first arm of the first clip being disposed in the first cavity and a second arm of the second clip being disposed in the second cavity; and   the second body portion includes a third cavity and an opposing fourth cavity, a third arm of the first clip being disposed in the third cavity and a fourth arm of the second clip being disposed in the fourth cavity.